Metals and Non-Metals
Practise Metals and Non-Metals for GCSE Chemistry with this free worksheet and full mark scheme — Foundation and Higher exam-style questions with worked answers for AQA, Edexcel and OCR. Metals lose electrons to form positive ions and sit on the left of the periodic table, while non-metals are on the right.
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These worksheets and mark schemes are original, written for Virtus Academy and checked against the current AQA, Edexcel and OCR specifications. Every worksheet comes with a full mark scheme.
Topic overview
Elements that react to form positive ions are metals; those that do not are non-metals. The majority of elements are metals.
Metals are found to the left and towards the bottom of the periodic table. Non-metals are found towards the right and top. The dividing line runs diagonally, and elements near it can show properties of both.
Metals typically conduct heat and electricity, are malleable and ductile, have high melting and boiling points, and form positive ions by losing electrons. Non-metals are typically poor conductors, brittle when solid, have lower melting points, and form negative ions by gaining electrons.
Revision notes
Defining the difference
Metals are elements that react to form positive ions.
Non-metals do not form positive ions. This is the defining chemical distinction, rather than any physical property.
Position in the periodic table
Metals occupy the left and centre and towards the bottom of the table.
Non-metals are found towards the right and top. The majority of elements are metals.
Typical properties
Metals: good conductors of heat and electricity, malleable, ductile, generally high melting and boiling points, form positive ions.
Non-metals: poor conductors, brittle when solid, generally lower melting and boiling points, form negative ions or share electrons.
Key points
- Metals react to form positive ions.
- Non-metals do not form positive ions.
- Metals are on the left and bottom of the periodic table.
- Non-metals are towards the right and top.
- Metals conduct heat and electricity well.
- Most elements are metals.
Worked examples
Example 1
Define a metal in terms of its chemical behaviour. [1 mark]
Model answer
A metal is an element that reacts to form positive ions (1 mark).
Example 2
Give three physical properties typical of metals. [3 marks]
Model answer
They are good conductors of heat and electricity (1 mark). They are malleable and can be hammered into shape (1 mark). They generally have high melting and boiling points (1 mark).
Example 3
Explain why metals form positive ions. [2 marks]
Model answer
Metal atoms have few electrons in their outer shell (1 mark), so they lose these electrons to achieve a full outer shell, leaving more protons than electrons and therefore a positive charge (1 mark).
Common mistakes
Defining metals only by physical properties.
The chemical definition is forming positive ions, and that is what is examined.
Saying non-metals form positive ions.
They form negative ions by gaining electrons, or share them.
Placing metals on the right of the table.
Metals are on the left and towards the bottom.
Saying all metals have high melting points.
Most do, but mercury is liquid at room temperature.
Exam tips
- Use the positive ion definition when asked for a chemical distinction.
- Link ion formation to outer shell electrons.
- Learn several physical properties for each type.
- Remember the diagonal division in the periodic table.
Key terms
- Metal
- An element that reacts to form positive ions.
- Non-metal
- An element that does not form positive ions.
- Malleable
- Able to be hammered into shape without breaking.
- Ductile
- Able to be drawn into wires.
Related topics
Written and reviewed against the current AQA, Edexcel and OCR specifications. Spotted an error? Let us know.