Metals, Non-Metals and Metalloids

Based on their metallic characteristics, elements are categorized as metals, nonmetals, or metalloids.

Metal

On the left side of the current periodic table are metals. Except for boron, every element in groups IA through IIIA is a metal. Compared to the metals in group IA, the metals in groups IIA and IIIA are less reactive. Group IIIB to IIB elements are transitional metals with lower reactivity. Fe, Co, Ni, Ag, Au, Hg, Zn, etc. are a few examples. They are also referred to as transitional metals, as their characteristics fall between those of active metals and nonmetals. Metals are excellent electrical and thermal conductors.

Group IA is made up of elements with a single electron in their outermost shell. Li, Na, and K are examples of elements in this category. These metals are reactive. They are sometimes referred to as alkali metals because, when dissolved in water, they generate a strong base or alkali. They have a ns₁ electronic valence shell arrangement. 'n' indicates the shell in this case. As an illustration, the electrical structure of sodium is 1s₂, 2s₂, 2p₆, and 3s₁. This group's constituents are less dense and moist.

Group IIA is made up of elements with two electrons in their outermost shell. This category includes elements like magnesium and calcium. They have a ns₂ electronic valence shell structure. For instance, magnesium has the electrical structure 1s₂, 2s₂, 2p₆, and 3s₂. Since the oxides of the elements in this group are soluble in water and are present on the surface of the planet, they are referred to as alkaline earth metals.

Non-metal

Nonmetals are kept on the right side of the periodic table. The group of elements of VA, VIA, and VIIA, along with elements of group VIIIA, or 18 (0), are non-metals.

The periodic table's right side is devoted to nonmetals. Non-metals include elements of groups VIIIA or 18 (0), as well as elements of VA, VIA, and VIIA.

The elements in VIIA (17) of the current periodic table have seven electrons in their valence shell. This group includes elements including F, Cl, Br, and I. These elements readily participate in reactions in order to complete their valence shell with eight electrons by gaining one group electron from other elements. They are therefore very reactive. The notations ns² and np⁵ denotes these elements' outermost electronic configuration. Chlorine, for instance, has the following electrical configuration: 1s², 2s², 2p⁶, 3s², 3p⁵. This group's elements (F, Cl, Br, and I) are referred to as halogens. This group's constituents are less dense and mushy. The most reactive nonmetals are these ones.

This group's constituents are less dense and mushy. The most reactive nonmetals are these ones.Group 0 is made up of elements with eight electrons in the valence shell and two electrons in the first shell, which doubles as the valence shell. This group contains elements such as He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, and Rn. The symbols ns² and np⁶ stand for these elements' valence shell electrical arrangement. Argon, for instance, has the following electrical configuration: 1s², 2s², 2p⁶, 3s², 3p⁶. These substances are sometimes referred to as inert gases or noble gases. They are referred to as inert gases because they have octet states in their valence shells and do not participate in chemical processes.

Metalloid

The elements that lie between metals and nonmetals in the periodic table and show some properties similar to metals and some properties similar to nonmetals are called metalloids. They are the poorest generators of electricity. Their electrical conductivity is less than metals and more than nonmetals. Silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), bismuth (Bi), etc. are metalloids.