Ima

Metals

Metals are materials that are usually strong, shiny, and useful for making things.

Properties of metals:

• Shiny (they have lustre)

• Hard and strong

• Good conductors of heat and electricity

• Malleable → can be hammered into sheets

• Ductile → can be drawn into wires

Examples:

• Iron (used in buildings)

• Copper (used in wires)

• Gold (used in jewellery)

• Aluminium (used in utensils)

Non-metals

Non-metals are materials that are usually soft and not shiny.

Properties of non-metals:

• Dull (not shiny)

• Not strong (many are soft or brittle)

• Poor conductors of heat and electricity

• Not malleable or ductile

Examples:

• Oxygen (we breathe it)

• Carbon (in coal, graphite)

• Sulfur

• Nitrogen

  
  

Main Differences

PropertyMetals Non-metals

AppearanceShinyDullStrengthStrongWeak/brittleConductivityGoodPoorShapeCan be shapedCannot be shaped

Fun Fact!

Some materials are special:

• Graphite (carbon) can conduct electricity even though it’s a non-metal