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What Are the Differences Between Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids?

Metals, nonmetals, and metalloids are three main types of elements found on the periodic table. Each of these types has its own special qualities.

Metals

  • What They Are Like: Metals are great at conducting heat and electricity. They can be shaped into different forms and they have a shiny look.
  • Some Examples: Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), and Gold (Au).
  • How Many There Are: About 75% of all elements are metals.

Nonmetals

  • What They Are Like: Nonmetals do not conduct heat and electricity very well. If they are solid, they can be brittle, which means they break easily, and they usually look dull.
  • Some Examples: Oxygen (O), Carbon (C), and Nitrogen (N).
  • How Many There Are: About 17% of all elements are nonmetals.

Metalloids

  • What They Are Like: Metalloids have qualities of both metals and nonmetals. They are known as semiconductors, which means they can conduct electricity under certain conditions.
  • Some Examples: Silicon (Si) and Arsenic (As).
  • How Many There Are: About 8% of all elements are metalloids.

Understanding these categories helps us learn how different elements behave and how they react with each other in chemical processes.

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What Are the Differences Between Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids?

Metals, nonmetals, and metalloids are three main types of elements found on the periodic table. Each of these types has its own special qualities.

Metals

  • What They Are Like: Metals are great at conducting heat and electricity. They can be shaped into different forms and they have a shiny look.
  • Some Examples: Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), and Gold (Au).
  • How Many There Are: About 75% of all elements are metals.

Nonmetals

  • What They Are Like: Nonmetals do not conduct heat and electricity very well. If they are solid, they can be brittle, which means they break easily, and they usually look dull.
  • Some Examples: Oxygen (O), Carbon (C), and Nitrogen (N).
  • How Many There Are: About 17% of all elements are nonmetals.

Metalloids

  • What They Are Like: Metalloids have qualities of both metals and nonmetals. They are known as semiconductors, which means they can conduct electricity under certain conditions.
  • Some Examples: Silicon (Si) and Arsenic (As).
  • How Many There Are: About 8% of all elements are metalloids.

Understanding these categories helps us learn how different elements behave and how they react with each other in chemical processes.

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