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How do metals and nonmetals differ?

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Here's a look at the differences between the metals and nonmetals. ... malleable (can be hammered); ductile (can be drawn into wires); usually solid at room temperature (an exception is mercury); opaque as a thin sheet (can't see through metals); metals are sonorous or make a bell-like sound when struck. 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 are lustrous while non-metals, except diamond & graphite which are allotropes of carbon as well as iodine, are non-lustrous. Metals are good conductors of heat & electricity. Exception: Lead & mercury are poor conductors of heat. Non-metals are poor conductors of heat and electricity. Exception: Graphite conducts electricity. read more

Metals have several other common features that distinguish them from nonmetals, but few are universal. Almost all metals are solid at room temperature, but a large number of nonmetals are gaseous. Pure metals tend to have a shine or luster, but nonmetals tend to be dull in appearance. read more

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