Activity . Collect samples of carbon (coal or graphite), sulphur and iodine. Carry out the Activities . to .
and . with these non-metals and record your observations. Compile your observations regarding metals and non-metals in Table . .
Table . Element Symbol Type of Hardness Malleability Ductility Conducts Sonority surface Electricity On the bases of the observations recorded in Table . , discuss the general physical properties of metals and non-metals in the class. You must have concluded that we cannot group elements according to their physical properties alone, as there are many exceptions.
For example – (i) All metals except mercury exist as solids at room temperature. In Activity . , you have observed that metals have high melting points but gallium and caesium have very low melting points. These two metals will melt if you keep them on your palm.
(ii) Iodine is a non-metal but it is lustrous. (iii) Carbon is a non-metal that can exist in different forms. Each form is called an allotrope. Diamond, an allotrope of carbon, is the hardest natural substance known and has a very high melting and boiling point.
Graphite, another allotrope of carbon, is a conductor of electricity. (iv) Alkali metals (lithium, sodium, potassium) are so soft that they can be cut with a knife. They have low densities and low melting points. Elements can be more clearly classified as metals and non-metals on the basis of their chemical properties.