How are metals and nonmetals alike and different?

Metals and nonmetals differ from each other in more ways than they are similar. In most cases, their properties oppose each other. Their similarities exist in their most basic aspects, such as structure and the way they combine with other elements to form molecules. read more

Both metals and nonmetals take different forms (allotropes), which have different appearances and properties from each other. For example, graphite and diamond are two allotropes of the nonmetal carbon, while ferrite and austenite are two allotropes of iron. read more

Scientists classify roughly three-quarters of the elements on the periodic table as metals. Metals sit to the left side of the period table, while nonmetals sit on the right. Metalloids sit in between the two classifications and share some properties with metals, although they lack the classification of a proper metal. read more