Metals and nonmetals differ significantly in their chemical properties. Metals tend to lose electrons and form positive ions (cations), while nonmetals tend to gain electrons and form negative ions (anions) or share electrons to form covalent bonds. Metals also react with water and dilute acids, whereas nonmetals generally do not.
Here’s a more detailed comparison:
Metals:
Electron Behavior: Metals readily lose electrons in chemical reactions, becoming positively charged ions (cations).
Reactivity with Oxygen: Metals form basic oxides when reacting with oxygen.
Reactivity with Water: Many metals react with water to produce hydrogen gas and a metal hydroxide.
Reactivity with Acids: Metals react with dilute acids to form salts and hydrogen gas.
Displacement Reactions: Metals can displace less reactive metals from their salts.
Bonding: Metals tend to form ionic bonds with nonmetals and can also form metallic bonds with other metals.
Nonmetals:
Electron Behavior: Nonmetals tend to gain electrons to form negatively charged ions (anions), or they share electrons to form covalent bonds.
Reactivity with Oxygen: Nonmetals form acidic or neutral oxides when reacting with oxygen.
Reactivity with Water: Nonmetals generally do not react with water or steam.
Reactivity with Acids: Nonmetals do not react with dilute acids.
Displacement Reactions: Nonmetals generally do not undergo displacement reactions with other nonmetals.
Bonding: Nonmetals tend to form covalent bonds with other nonmetals and can also form ionic bonds with metals.