Give an example of a metal, non-metal and metalloid. Describe some of their properties. *

1 answer

Sure! Here’s an example of each:

Metal: Iron (Fe)

Properties:

  • Conductivity: Iron is a good conductor of electricity and heat.
  • Malleability and Ductility: It can be easily shaped and drawn into wires.
  • Luster: Iron has a shiny, metallic finish when polished.
  • Density: It has a high density, making it heavy for its size.
  • Reactivity: Iron reacts with oxygen and moisture to form rust (iron oxide), indicating it can corrode.

Non-metal: Sulfur (S)

Properties:

  • Electrical Conductivity: Sulfur is a poor conductor of electricity (insulator).
  • State at Room Temperature: It is typically found as a brittle solid.
  • Color and Appearance: It is yellow and has a crystalline structure.
  • Odor: Sulfur has a distinctive, pungent smell that is often associated with rotten eggs.
  • Reactivity: It readily reacts with metals and other non-metals to form various compounds.

Metalloid: Silicon (Si)

Properties:

  • Intermediate Conductivity: Silicon has electrical conductivity that lies between metals and non-metals, making it a semiconductor.
  • Brittleness: It is brittle and can break or shatter rather than deform.
  • Luster: Silicon has a shiny appearance but is less lustrous than metals.
  • Reactivity: Silicon does not react easily with other elements at room temperature but can form compounds with oxygen (silicon dioxide).
  • Usage: Silicon is widely used in electronics and solar panels due to its semiconductor properties.

These examples illustrate the diverse properties that characterize metals, non-metals, and metalloids in the periodic table.