Does anyone know how to chemically define a metal and a non-metal? please help, I need this for school.?

Question

I will give the first good answer 10 points!!!!!

Answer 1

Metals tend to lose electrons, becoming postive ions. Nonmetals are electron acceptors, becoming negative ions. Metals are shiny (have metallic luster) and are located on the left side of the periodic table; nonmetals are on the right side.

Answer 2

All metals conduct electricity. Most non metals don't. Also, atoms of metals have a valence shell which is less than half full, therefore metal atoms tend to lose electrons in a chemical reaction. Non metal atoms gain electrons. Finally, and probably most important, metal atoms tend to arrange themselves in crystalline structures in which the valence electrons belong to ALL the atoms equally rather than to any one in particular. This is what allows metals to conduct electricity.

Answer 3

Most of the elements on the left of the zig-zag line on the periodic table are metals (yes, even lithium)., Elements which touch the zig-zag line are metalloids (half-way between a metal and non-metal. Elements on the right of the zig-zag line are non-metals. The attached website shows the zig-zag line.

Answer 4

*Metals :-

Distinguishing luster (shine)
Malleable and ductile (flexible) as solids
Conduct heat and electricity
Metallic oxides are basic, ionic
Cations in aqueous solution
All are solids at room temp (except Mercury, which is a liquid)

*Nonmetals:-

Non-lustrous, various colors
Brittle, hard or soft
Poor conductors
Nonmetallic oxides are acidic, compounds
Anions, oxyanions in aqueous solution

Answer 5

metals are electrpositive elements and non metals are electronegative elements and metals generally conduct heat and electricity better,have a metallic shine,are malleable and ductile,solids at room temperature and so denser,have relatively high boiling and melting points and are sonorous.

Answer 6

metal left hand periodic table - shiny, ductile, etc.

non-metal - right hand periodic table - dull, brittle, etc.