Metals and Non-Metals-Notes

Elements are classified into two basic categories, metals and non-metals.

Before giving the definition of metal and non-metal, we must know some important terms:

(i) Malleability: Ability of an element due to which it can be beaten with hammer into thin sheets.

(ii) Ductility: Ability of an element due to which it can be drawn into wires.

(iii) Sonorous: Property of an element to produce sound when it is struck with a hard substance.

(iv) Brittleness: Property of an element to break easily into pieces on hammering or stretching.