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what is metals and non-metals?
Metals are opaque, lustrous elements that are good conductors of heat and electricity. Most metals are malleable and ductile and are, in general, denser than the other elemental substances.

Non-metals are elements that do not have the physical and chemical properties of metal. They are usually poor conductors, but they can be gases, liquids, or solids. They are brittle, and they have low density. Non-metals have no metallic luster, and they can appear translucent or transparent.

Properties

Metals in the form of elements are usually good conductors of electricity, are flexible and strong. When they are combined with oxygen to form oxides, they are alkaline compounds. When combined with chlorine to form chlorides they form ionic compounds which have giant structures.
Non-Metal Properties

Non-metals as elements are rarely solids, usually they are gases. They are poor conductors of electricity except graphite which has a special structure. Their oxides are often gases and are acidic. Their chlorides are covalently bonded .


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