Difference between Metals and Non-Metals

The following table differentiates between metals and non metals with their general properties.

MetalsNon Metals
Except mercury, all metals all solids at room temperatureNon-metals can be solids, liquids or gases. For example bromine is a liquid.
Metals are hard and malleable and can be beaten into thin sheets.Non-metals are brittle
They are generally lustrousThey are generally not lustrous (Iodine, graphite and diamond are lustrous)
They are ductile and can be stretched into wires.They are generally non ductile except some as Carbon fibre
They are sonorous and clang if they are hit.Non-sonorous
They are good conductors of heat and electricity.Except some examples such as Graphite, Non-metals are bad conductors of heat and electricity
Generally hard (except sodium and potassium) and have high tensile strengthGenerally soft exception diamond.
Generally high densityGenerally low density
Generally high melting and boiling points (except sodium and potassium)Generally low melting and boiling points (exception graphite)
Metals react with oxygen and forms metal oxides. which are mostly basic in nature. Aluminium and zinc oxides exhibit acidic as well as basic properties. Such metal oxides are known as amphoteric oxides.Non-metals react with oxygen and form acidic or neutral oxides. Carbon and sulphur form acidic oxides. Hydrogen forms a neutral oxide

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