How do metals and nonmetals compare?

Metals and Nonmetals. As shown on the periodic table of the elements below, the majority of the chemical elements in pure form are classified as metals. It seems appropriate to describe what is meant by "metal" in general terms. This general description is adapted from Shipman, et al. 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

Metals and Nonmetals. As shown on the periodic table of the elements below, the majority of the chemical elements in pure form are classified as metals. It seems appropriate to describe what is meant by "metal" in general terms. read more

Metals lose electrons easily, and they often corrode easily. The oxides of metals tend to be basic, but the oxides of nonmetals tend to be acidic. Unlike electricity and heat, nonmetals conduct light better than metals, and thin sheets of metal are usually opaque while thin sheets of nonmetals are usually translucent or even transparent. read more