Contents
Key Stage 3
Meaning
A Non-metal is a a material that is a bad conductor of electricity and a bad conductor of thermal energy.
About Metals
- Non-metals are found on the right hand side of the Periodic Table
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| This Periodic Table shows the Non-metal elements on the right in orange, green and grey. |
Properties of Metals
There are several key properties of metals you should know. Metals are:
- Bad conductors of electricity
- Bad conductors of thermal energy
- Dull - They do not have reflective surfaces.
- Brittle - They break easily when hit.
- Stiff - They do not stretch easily.
- Not sonorous - They make a short dull sound when hit.
Key Stage 4
Meaning
A Non-metal is a a material that is a bad conductor of electricity and a bad conductor of thermal energy.
About Metals
- Non-metals are found on the right hand side of the Periodic Table
 |
| This Periodic Table shows the Non-metal elements on the right in orange, green and grey. |
- Non-metals are on the right hand side of the Periodic Table because most of those elements gain electrons to form negative ions in compounds with metals.
- Non-metal elements form covalent bonds with other non-metal elements.
- Non-metal elements usually make poor electrical and thermal conductors electrons are shared but not easily transferred between adjacent atoms.
- Non-metals elements have a range of melting and boiling points with some which are solid at room temperature and others gaseous and one liquid (Bromine).