Metals and non-metals
Metals
Shiny: Metals have a characteristic luster or shine. For example, copper pans or gold jewelry.
Ductile and malleable: They can be bent, hammered, or stretched into different shapes without breaking. Think of thin wires made from copper or aluminum foil.
Good conductors: They allow electricity and heat to flow through them easily. This is why copper wires are used in electrical circuits and aluminum pots are good for cooking.
Solid at room temperature (except mercury): Most metals are solids, except for mercury, which is a liquid at room temperature.
Non-metals
Dull: They don't have a shiny appearance. For example, sulfur or wood.
Brittle: They tend to break easily when struck or forced to bend. Think of chalk snapping in half. (There are exceptions, like diamond, which is very hard).
Poor conductors: They don't conduct electricity or heat well. This is why rubber, a non-metal, is used to insulate electrical wires.
Can be solid, liquid, or gas at room temperature: Non-metals exist in all three states of matter at room temperature. For example, oxygen (gas), sulfur (solid), and bromine (liquid).