Lesson 2.4 - Metals And Non-Metals

Grouping elements

While elements are usually grouped based on their Group and Period, we can also group the elements based on their properties.

There are two types of elements - metals and non-metals

The majority of elements are metals.

Metals are found towards the bottom-left of the periodic table.

They form metallic bonds with other metals, or ionic bonds with non-metals.

Metals are almost always solids (at room temperature). The only exception is mercury - a liquid.

They form positive ionic bonds when reacting.

They have fewer outer electrons, and thus lose electrons to become stable.

Non-metals are found towards the upper-left of the periodic table.

They form covalent bonds with other non-metals, and also ionic bonds with metals.

Non-metals can be either solid, liquid, or gas.

They do not form positive ions during chemical reactions.

They have many outer electrons, and therefore gain electrons to become stable.

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