Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids

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What are metals?

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Metals are elements that are typically shiny, good conductors of heat and electricity, malleable, and ductile. Examples include copper, iron, and gold.

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What are nonmetals?

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Nonmetals are elements that are usually dull, poor conductors of heat and electricity, and brittle when solid. Examples include oxygen, sulfur, and neon.

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What are metalloids?

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Metalloids are elements that have properties of both metals and nonmetals. They can conduct electricity better than nonmetals but not as well as metals. Examples include silicon and germanium.

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What is conductivity?

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Conductivity is the ability of a material to conduct heat or electricity. Metals generally have high conductivity.

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What is malleability?

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Malleability is the ability of a material to be hammered or pressed into thin sheets without breaking. Metals are usually malleable.

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What is luster?

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Luster refers to the way light interacts with the surface of a mineral or metal. Metals typically have a shiny luster.

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What is a semiconductor?

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A semiconductor is a material that has conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. Metalloids are often semiconductors.

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How can you identify a metal?

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Metals can be identified by their shiny appearance, high conductivity, malleability, and ductility.

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How can you identify a nonmetal?

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Nonmetals can be identified by their dull appearance, poor conductivity, and brittleness.

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How can you identify a metalloid?

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Metalloids can be identified by their mixed properties: they may conduct electricity and have a shiny appearance but are brittle.