The property of metals by which they can be beaten into thin sheets is called malleability. This is a characteristic property of metals. The property of metal by which it can be drawn into wires is called ductility.
The things made of metals produce a ringing sound when struck hard. Since metals produce ringing sounds, they are said to be sonorous. The materials other than metals are not sonorous.
The materials which generally possess hard, lustrous, malleable, ductile, sonorous and good conductors of heat and electricity properties are called metals.
Materials like coal and sulphur are soft and dull in appearance. They break down into a powdery mass on tapping with a hammer. They are not sonorous and are poor conductors of heat and electricity. These materials are called non-metals.
We had learnt that in both the processes oxide formation takes place. Complete the following reactions of iron and magnesium with oxygen.
Iron (Fe) + Oxygen (O2) + Water (H2O) → ?
Magnesium (Mg) + Oxygen (O2) → ?
The reaction of sulphur and oxygen is sulphur dioxide gas. When sulphur dioxide is dissolved in water sulphurous acid is formed. The reaction can be given as follows:
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) + Water (H2O) → Sulphurous acid (H2SO3)
Generally, non-metals do not react with water though they may be very reactive in air. Such non-metals are stored in water. For example, phosphorus is a very reactive non-metal.
Metals react with sodium hydroxide to produce hydrogen gas.
A more reactive metal can replace a less reactive metal, but a less reactive one cannot replace a more reactive metal.
The metals are used in making machinery, automobiles, aeroplanes, trains, satellites, industrial gadgets, cooking utensils, water boilers, etc.
The uses of some nonmetals. Here are some interesting ones-:
Non-metal is essential for our life which all living beings inhale during breathing,
Non-metals used in fertilisers to enhance the growth of plants,
Non-metal used in water purification process,
Non-metal used in the purple coloured solution which is applied on wounds as an antiseptic,
Non-metals used in crackers.