Differentiate between metal and non-metal on the basis of their chemical properties.
| Metal | Non Metals |
| Metals are electropositive. | Non-metals are electronegative. |
| They react with oxygen to form basic oxides. 4Na + O2 -> 2Na2O These have ionic bonds |
They react with oxygen to form acidic or neutral oxides. C + O2 -> CO2 These have covalent bonds. |
| They react with water to form oxides and
hydroxides. Some metals react with cold water, some with hot water, and
some with steam. 4Na + O2 -> 2NaOH + H2 |
They do not react with water. |
| They react with dilute acids to form a salt and evolve hydrogen gas. However, Cu, Ag, Au, Pt, Hg do not react. | They do not react with dilute acids. These are not capable of replacing hydrogen. |
| They react with the salt solution of metals.
Depending on their reactivity, displacement reaction can occur. CuSO4 + Zn -> ZnSO4 + Cu |
These react with the salt solution of non-metals. |
| They act as reducing agents (as they can easily
lose electrons). Na -> Na + + e- |
These act as oxidising agents (as they can gain electrons). Cl2 + 2e- --> 2Cl- |
