Topic 4

Question 1

Identify properties of metals

Answer 1

Metals are typically shiny, malleable, ductile, and excellent conductors of heat and electricity. They form positive ions by losing electrons. Nonmetals, on the other hand, are often brittle, dull, and poor conductors. They tend to form negative ions by gaining electrons.

Question 2

Identify properties of nonmetals

Answer 2

In the elemental form, non-metals can be gas, liquid or solid. They aren’t shiny (lustrous) and they don’t conduct heat or electricity well. Usually their melting points are lower than for metals, although there are exceptions. The solids usually break easily, and can’t bend like metals.

Question 3

Identify properties of semimetals

Answer 3

As semimetals have fewer charge carriers than metals, they typically have lower electrical and thermal conductivities. They also have small effective masses for both holes and electrons because the overlap in energy is usually the result of the fact that both energy bands are broad.