Materials: Metals and Non-Metals

​Metals are lustrous whereas non-metals have no lustre. Generally, metals are malleable and ductile. Non-metals do not have these properties. Generally, metals are good conductors of heat and electricity but non-metals are poor conductors. On burning, metals react with oxygen to produce metal oxides which are basic in nature. Non-metals react with oxygen to produce non- metallic oxides which are acidic in nature

​Some metals react with water to produce metal hydroxides and hydrogen gas. Generally, nonmetals do not react with water. Metals react with acids and produce metal salts and hydrogen gas. Generally, non-metals do not react with acids. Some metals react with bases to produce hydrogen gas. More reactive metals displace less reactive metals from their compounds in aqueous solutions. Metals and non-metals are used widely in every day life.