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How are elements classified?

We know that elements are substances in their simplest form. They are divided into three categories:

• Metals like gold, silver, mercury
• Non-metals like hydrogen, oxygen, carbon
• Metalloids like boron, silicon, germanium

There are about 100 elements known till date out of which 92 are naturally occurring and the remaining are human-made. Most elements are solid in nature, except mercury and bromine which are in the liquid state at room temperature. Out of the 100 elements, 11 occur in a gaseous state in room temperature.

What are the properties of elements?

The types of elements are differentiated by the properties they exhibit. Elements show some or all of the following properties:

• Lustre – It is the gentle shining light that is reflected from a surface
• Colour – Metals are usually silvery-grey or golden yellow whereas non-metals display a variety of colours.
• Conductivity – It is the measure of the ease at which electricity or heat can pass through a
• Ductility – It is the property of a material to be drawn into a
• Malleability – It is the property of a material to be hammered into
• Sonority – It is the ability to produce

What are the properties of metals and nonmetals?

Property	Metals	Non-metals
Lustre	Have lustre	Do not have lustre
Colour	Silvery-grey or golden-yellow	Display a variety of colours
Conductivity	Conduct heat and electricity	Poor conductors of heat and electricity
Ductility	Are ductile	Are not ductile
Malleability	Are malleable	Are not malleable
Sonority	Make a hollow sound when hit	Are not sonorous

What are the properties of metalloids?

Metalloids are substances that are neither metals nor non-metals. They appear to be metals but in reality, they are brittle. Most metalloids are poor conductors of heat and electricity. But under the right conditions, some metalloids, such as silicon and germanium, can act as semiconductors. Chemically, they behave like nonmetals. They can also form alloys with metals.