Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids

Aim PT3 – what makes something a metalloid?

Metals• 2/3 of the Periodic Table are metals

on the left side of periodic staircaseMetallic Characteristics• Metals have specific properties

due to the sea of mobile electrons that surround them– Solids – with the exception of Hg– Luster – ability to reflect light– Conductivity – ability to carry electricity or

heat through them– Malleability – ability to be pounded flat or

bent– Ductility – ability to be drawn into a wire

Other Metal Characteristics• Due to having few electrons in

valence shell• Low electronegativities

– do not seek electrons– Looking to lose and have 8 in

valence shell

• Low ionization energies– small number of valence electrons – easier to remove

• Larger atomic radius compared to nonmetals

Non-metals• Lack luster

– dull in appearance– Many are gases – Noble gases, H, N, O, F, Cl– One nonmetal liquid - Br

• Poor conductors of electricity and heat

• Brittle in solid phase– Not malleable or ductile– High electronegativity – seeks to fill

valence shell with electrons– High ionization energy – will not lose

electron easily

Metalloids

• On the dividing line or staircase of Periodic Table

• Metalloids have some characteristics of both metals and nonmetals

• On staircase – B, Si, As, Te, At, Ge, Sb, Po

• Example: Silicon– Conducts electricity (in silicon’s case, it is a

semiconductor)– Have luster, metallic looking– But highly brittle