To differentiate between metals and non-metals, the following physical properties can be used:
A. Malleability - Metals are typically malleable, meaning they can be hammered or pressed into thin sheets without breaking, while non-metals are generally brittle when in solid form.
B. Conductivity - Metals are good conductors of electricity and heat, whereas non-metals are usually poor conductors (with the exception of graphene and a few other materials).
C. Transparency - Non-metals can vary in their transparency (e.g., gases are transparent), while metals are typically opaque.
D. Solubility - This property varies widely and is not a definitive way to differentiate between metals and non-metals since both categories contain substances that can be soluble or insoluble in various solvents.
Among these options, A (Malleability) and B (Conductivity) are the most definitive properties for distinguishing between metals and non-metals.