Chapter 2, Problem 2.49PAE

(a)

Interpretation Introduction

To classify:

$\text{Si}$ as metal, non-metal or metalloid.

Explanation of Solution

In the periodic table, elements increase in metallic nature when approaching the “left” side of the table. The nonmetal nature increase as we go from left to right.

The most common physical characteristics for metals are given as follow:

• Mostly solids at room temperature
• Malleable
• Brittle and metallic luster
• Conducts electricity and heat efficiently
• The most common physical characteristics for nonmetals are given as follow:
• Mostly liquids or gases at room temperature
• Poor heat and electricity conductors
• No metallic luster
• Brittle if solid only.

There is a third set of elements, which are considered to be metalloids, due to the nature of both, metal and nonmetal.

• Semiconductors of electricity
• Mostly solids
• Slightly malleable and brittles

As stated before, the metallic nature of elements increases to the top/left of the periodic table, and decreases as we go to the bottom right side of the table.

Nonmetals will, therefore, increase in nonmetallic nature when going bottom-right and decrease when going top-left side.

Metalloids are defined as having both properties, therefore, they must be found between the metals and nonmetals.

Now, identify the element by the “Si” symbol. This is Silicon. It is a metalloid.

Interpretation Introduction

To classify:

$\text{Zn}$ as metal, non-metal or metalloid.

Explanation of Solution

In the periodic table, elements increase in metallic nature when approaching the “left” side of the table. The nonmetal nature increase as we go from left to right.

The most common physical characteristics for metals are given as follow:

• Mostly solids at room temperature
• Malleable
• Brittle and metallic luster
• Conducts electricity and heat efficiently

The most common physical characteristics for nonmetals are given as follow:

• Mostly liquids or gases at room temperature

• Poor heat and electricity conductors
• No metallic luster
• Brittle if solid only.

There is a third set of elements, which are considered to be metalloids, due to the nature of both, metal and nonmetal.

• Semiconductors of electricity

• Mostly solids
• Slightly malleable and brittles

As stated before, the metallic nature of elements increases to the top/left of the periodic table, and decreases as we go to the bottom right side of the table.

Nonmetals will, therefore, increase in nonmetallic nature when going bottom-right and decrease when going top-left side.

Metalloids are defined as having both properties, therefore, they must be found between the metals and nonmetals.

Now, identify the element by the “Zn” symbol. This is Zinc. It is a metal.

Interpretation Introduction

To classify:

$\text{B}$ as metal, non-metal or metalloid.

Explanation of Solution

In the periodic table, elements increase in metallic nature when approaching the “left” side of the table. The nonmetal nature increase as we go from left to right.

The most common physical characteristics for metals are given as follow:

• Mostly solids at room temperature
• Malleable
• Brittle and metallic luster
• Conducts electricity and heat efficiently

The most common physical characteristics for nonmetals are given as follow:

• Mostly liquids or gases at room temperature

• Poor heat and electricity conductors
• No metallic luster
• Brittle if solid only.

There is a third set of elements, which are considered to be metalloids, due to the nature of both, metal and nonmetal.

• Semiconductors of electricity

• Mostly solids
• Slightly malleable and brittles

As stated before, the metallic nature of elements increases to the top/left of the periodic table, and decreases as we go to the bottom right side of the table.

Nonmetals will, therefore, increase in nonmetallic nature when going bottom-right and decrease when going top-left side.

Metalloids are defined as having both properties, therefore, they must be found between the metals and nonmetals.

Now, identify the element by the “B” symbol. This is Boron. It is a metalloid.

Interpretation Introduction

To classify:

$\text{N}$ as metal, non-metal or metalloid.

Explanation of Solution

In the periodic table, elements increase in metallic nature when approaching the “left” side of the table. The nonmetal nature increase as we go from left to right.

The most common physical characteristics for metals are given as follow:

• Mostly solids at room temperature
• Malleable
• Brittle and metallic luster
• Conducts electricity and heat efficiently

The most common physical characteristics for nonmetals are given as follow:

• Mostly liquids or gases at room temperature
• Poor heat and electricity conductors
• No metallic luster
• Brittle if solid only.

There is a third set of elements, which are considered to be metalloids, due to the nature of both, metal and nonmetal.

• Semiconductors of electricity
• Mostly solids
• Slightly malleable and brittles

As stated before, the metallic nature of elements increases to the top/left of the periodic table, and decreases as we go to the bottom right side of the table.

Nonmetals will, therefore, increase in nonmetallic nature when going bottom-right and decrease when going top-left side.

Metalloids are defined as having both properties, therefore, they must be found between the metals and nonmetals.

Now, identify the element by the “N” symbol. This is Nitrogen. It is a nonmetal.

Interpretation Introduction

To classify:

$\text{K}$ as metal, non-metal or metalloid.

Explanation of Solution

In the periodic table, elements increase in metallic nature when approaching the “left” side of the table. The nonmetal nature increase as we go from left to right.

The most common physical characteristics for metals are given as follow:

• Mostly solids at room temperature
• Malleable
• Brittle and metallic luster
• Conducts electricity and heat efficiently

The most common physical characteristics for nonmetals are given as follow:

• Mostly liquids or gases at room temperature
• Poor heat and electricity conductors
• No metallic luster
• Brittle if solid only.

There is a third set of elements, which are considered to be metalloids, due to the nature of both, metal and nonmetal.

• Semiconductors of electricity

• Mostly solids
• Slightly malleable and brittles

As stated before, the metallic nature of elements increases to the top/left of the periodic table, and decreases as we go to the bottom right side of the table.

Nonmetals will, therefore, increase in nonmetallic nature when going bottom-right and decrease when going top-left side.

Metalloids are defined as having both properties, therefore, they must be found between the metals and nonmetals.

Now, identify the element by the “K” symbol. This is Potassium. It is a metal.

Interpretation Introduction

To classify:

$\text{S}$ as metal, non-metal or metalloid.

Explanation of Solution

In the periodic table, elements increase in metallic nature when approaching the “left” side of the table. The nonmetal nature increase as we go from left to right.

The most common physical characteristics for metals are given as follow:

• Mostly solids at room temperature
• Malleable
• Brittle and metallic luster
• Conducts electricity and heat efficiently

The most common physical characteristics for nonmetals are given as follow:

• Mostly liquids or gases at room temperature

• Poor heat and electricity conductors
• No metallic luster
• Brittle if solid only.

There is a third set of elements, which are considered to be metalloids, due to the nature of both, metal and nonmetal.

• Semiconductors of electricity

• Mostly solids
• Slightly malleable and brittles

As stated before, the metallic nature of elements increases to the top/left of the periodic table, and decreases as we go to the bottom right side of the table.

Nonmetals will, therefore, increase in nonmetallic nature when going bottom-right and decrease when going top-left side.

Metalloids are defined as having both properties, therefore, they must be found between the metals and nonmetals.

Now, identify the element by the “S” symbol. This is Sulfur. It is a nonmetal.

Conclusion

In order to select if this is a metal, nonmetal or metalloid, one must identify the element and find it in the periodic table.