Challenge the misconception that metals and non-metals are completely opposite in their properties 

An image of different elements floating on a purple background

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Non-metals may make up the minority of elements in the periodic table but they’re some of the most interesting. Some students can take the dividing line between the metals and non-metals in the periodic table as absolute and consider them as completely opposite in their properties. Challenge this misconception with this activity analysing the metal-like properties of non-metal elements.

Before you use these worksheets, you may find it valuable to read the Education in Chemistry article, How to teach non-metals. It suggests approaches to building students’ knowledge of the non-metals and their properties. 

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