The elements in the periodic table are broadly classified as metals, non-metals, and metalloids. Although metals and non-metals have defined properties, metalloids are classified as an intermediate of both metals and non-metals with shared physical and chemical properties.

Let’s see their properties and trends in the periodic table one by one.

1. Metals

About 80% of the elements in the periodic table are metals. These elements are present on the left side and the center of the periodic table.

The properties of metals are the elements that are malleable and ductile, possess luster, are good conductors of heat, and electricity, and have high densities.

Metals usually have high melting and boiling points and are generally solids at room temperature. But there are exceptions like Mercury is one of the metals which is liquid at room temperature.

Bromine is another metal that is present in the liquid state at room temperature. Apart from Bromine and Mercury, four other elements are also liquid at a temperature slightly warmer than room temperature. They are Francium, Gallium, Cesium, and Rubidium.

2. Non-Metals

Non-metals are much less in number than metals. There are over about 20 non-metals.

Non-metals are located at the top right hand side of the Periodic Table. The non-metallic character increases going from left to right and the metallic character increases going down a group.

Non-metals have low melting and boiling points. They are usually solids or gases at room temperature. Non-metals are neither malleable nor ductile. They are poor conductors of heat and electricity.

3. Metalloids

Metalloids are categorized as an intermediate and since there is a mix of physical as well as chemical properties, there is no sharp dividing line between metals and non-metals. As a result, metalloids are also called semi-metals.

A zig-zag line separates metals from non-metals as shown in the figure. The borderline elements such as silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, and tellurium exhibit characteristic properties of metals as well as non-metals.

View this lecture to better understand the properties of metals, non-metals, and metalloids- https://youtu.be/lA6LOE2AhRQ.

Electropositivity and Metallic Character

The tendency of atoms of an element to lose electrons and form positive ions is known as electropositivity.

Also check electronegativity.

A more electropositive element has a more metallic character

Variation in a period, from left to right electropositivity decreases. This is due to an increase in ionization enthalpy (decrease in size) along a period which, makes the loss of electrons difficult.

For example, in the second period, Lithium and Beryllium are metals. Boron is a semimetal whereas Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Fluorine are non-metals.

Variation in a group: On going from top to bottom electropositive nature increases hence metallic character increases on moving down the group.

In group 14 first two elements (Carbon and Silicon) are non-metals, the third element (Germanium) is a metalloid whereas the next elements (Tin and Lead) are metals.

INERT PAIR EFFECT

It is generally observed in groups 13, 14, and 15. According to this effect, as we descend down in a group, the two electrons of the s-orbital of the valence shell become inert, do not easily take part in bonding and the element shows its oxidation state two units less than the group oxidation number.

e.g. Al has stable oxidation state = +3

Ga has stable oxidation state = +3

In shows both = +1 and +3 oxidation state

Tl shows stable oxidation state = +1

Reason: On moving from top to bottom the effective nuclear charge increases due to which the penetration power of s-orbital and p-orbital also increases and hence s-orbital electrons are less available for bonding. This is called the inert pair effect of s-orbital electrons and therefore, on moving top to bottom lesser oxidation states are more stable.

‘Inert pair effect’ refers to the resistance of a pair of ‘s’ electrons to participate in covalent bond formation.

The inert pair effect among groups 14 and 15 elements is observed. Sn2+ and Pb2+; Sb3+ and Bi3+ are more stable in the actual oxidation state minus two due to the inert pair effect. The s-electrons remain paired with the oxidation state two lower than the characteristic oxidation state of the group.

d-block elements: Variable valency also occurs with elements in the d-block. This arises from using different numbers of d electrons for bonding, so in this case, the valency can change in steps of one. Read here for classification of elements into s, p, d, and f blocks.

To know more, visit: https://youtu.be/G7cZwMrLz20.

87 Comments

  2. Next time I read a blog, I hope that it does not disappoint me as much as this particular one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read through, however I actually believed you’d have something useful to say. All I hear is a bunch of complaining about something that you could fix if you weren’t too busy seeking attention.

  8. Hi, I do think this is a great site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I’m going to revisit yet again since i have book marked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help others.

  12. Профессиональный сервисный центр по ремонту сотовых телефонов, смартфонов и мобильных устройств.
    Мы предлагаем: где ремонтируют телефоны
    Наши мастера оперативно устранят неисправности вашего устройства в сервисе или с выездом на дом!

  19. Профессиональный сервисный центр по ремонту квадрокоптеров и радиоуправляемых дронов.
    Мы предлагаем:ремонт коптера
    Наши мастера оперативно устранят неисправности вашего устройства в сервисе или с выездом на дом!

  21. I must thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I’m hoping to view the same high-grade content by you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my very own blog now 😉

  23. Hi there! I could have sworn I’ve visited this site before but after browsing through a few of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Regardless, I’m certainly happy I discovered it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back frequently.

  28. I seriously love your site.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you build this web site yourself? Please reply back as I’m attempting to create my own site and would love to find out where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called. Many thanks!

  30. That is a great tip especially to those new to the blogosphere. Brief but very precise info… Appreciate your sharing this one. A must read post!

  39. Hi, I believe your blog could possibly be having web browser compatibility issues. Whenever I look at your site in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping issues. I just wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Apart from that, wonderful blog.

  43. I’m impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s both equally educative and engaging, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is something which not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I came across this in my hunt for something concerning this.

  45. Профессиональный сервисный центр по ремонту холодильников и морозильных камер.
    Мы предлагаем: ремонт холодильников в москве
    Наши мастера оперативно устранят неисправности вашего устройства в сервисе или с выездом на дом!

  48. After going over a handful of the blog articles on your blog, I really appreciate your way of blogging. I added it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Please visit my website as well and tell me what you think.

  52. Профессиональный сервисный центр по ремонту радиоуправляемых устройства – квадрокоптеры, дроны, беспилостники в том числе Apple iPad.
    Мы предлагаем: ремонт квадрокоптеров
    Наши мастера оперативно устранят неисправности вашего устройства в сервисе или с выездом на дом!

  54. Профессиональный сервисный центр по ремонту бытовой техники с выездом на дом.
    Мы предлагаем:ремонт крупногабаритной техники в петрбурге
    Наши мастера оперативно устранят неисправности вашего устройства в сервисе или с выездом на дом!

  62. Having read this I thought it was rather informative. I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth it!

  63. Having read this I believed it was extremely enlightening. I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this content together. I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worth it.

  65. Hi, I do think this is an excellent site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will return yet again since I book-marked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help others.

  67. Aw, this was an incredibly good post. Taking the time and actual effort to create a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and don’t manage to get anything done.

  68. Hello there! This article couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this. I will forward this post to him. Fairly certain he’s going to have a great read. Thanks for sharing!

  70. You’re so interesting! I don’t suppose I have read through something like this before. So great to discover another person with a few original thoughts on this subject matter. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This web site is one thing that is needed on the internet, someone with some originality.

  84. Профессиональный сервисный центр по ремонту варочных панелей и индукционных плит.
    Мы предлагаем: ремонт варочных панелей на дому в москве
    Наши мастера оперативно устранят неисправности вашего устройства в сервисе или с выездом на дом!

  85. Профессиональный сервисный центр по ремонту бытовой техники с выездом на дом.
    Мы предлагаем:сервисные центры по ремонту техники в екб
    Наши мастера оперативно устранят неисправности вашего устройства в сервисе или с выездом на дом!

  86. The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesn’t fail me just as much as this one. After all, I know it was my choice to read, nonetheless I genuinely thought you would have something interesting to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of crying about something that you can fix if you weren’t too busy seeking attention.

  87. Great blog you have here.. It’s difficult to find good quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *