1. Physical Properties of Metals, Non-Metals, and Metalloids
IPC
Mr. Boudreau

2. Physical Properties
Definition: Properties that can be observed without making any chemical changes to the substance.
Determined by the atomic structure of the substance and
the strength of
the bonds.

3. Examples that could be easily observed in your classrooms:
Color – not always diagnostic, but sometimes can be
Luster – how the light reflects off the surface of a substance.
Malleability – the ability of a substance to be deformed under compressive stress.
Density – mass/unit volume.
Conductivity – the ability of the substance to transmit electricity or heat.

4. Physical Properties
Reactivity – Reactivity is the tendency of a substance to undergo chemical reaction,
Melting point – decrease down a group, increase across a period
Metals generally possess a high melting point.
Most non-metals possess low melting points.

5. Physical Properties
Electronegativity – is a measure of the tendency of an atom to attract a bonding pair of electrons. So, as you move down a group on the periodic table, the electronegativity of an element decreases because the increased number of energy levels puts the outer electrons very far away from the pull of the nucleus. It increases as you move from left to right across a period on the periodic table.

6. Physical Properties
Boiling point – usually as you move across the period, the boiling point increases until you reach group 14, then it drops rapidly.
Density - Elements become denser toward the bottom of the periodic table. From left to right on the table, elements become denser toward the center of the table and less dense on either end.

7. Color

8. Luster
Metallic
Non-Metallic

9. Malleability

10. Density

11. Conductivity

12. Metals vs. Non-metals Metals Non-metals Color
Gold, silver, copper, pyrite, some others show characteristic colors; always opaque
Wide variety of colors or colorless; sometimes transparent or translucent
Luster
Metallic luster: think coins and jewelry; shiny or rusty
Non-metallic luster: can be shiny, but looks like glass, not metal. Often dull.
Malleability
Can be hammered or rolled into various shapes
Will shatter if hammered
Density
Usually heavy for its size: think lead and gold
Average or light density – rarely heavy
Conductivity
Will conduct cold or heat; will conduct electricity when solid
Will not conduct cold, heat, or electricity well.

13. Metalloids
B, Si, Ge, As, Sb, Te, Po (a diagonal between the metals and the non-metals on the Periodic Table of the Elements)
Can have properties of metals or non-metals, depending upon allotrope, temperature conditions, presence of an electric field, or other conditions.
Often used as semi-conductors in electrical applications.
Cannot be easily identified by your students.