Properties of metals and non-metals

2020-04-06T11:24:00

An image of different elements floating on a purple background

Source: © Shutterstock

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

Non-metals may make up the minority of elements in the periodic table but they’re some of the most interesting. There are relatively few misconceptions associated with this topic. However, it is common for students to take the dividing line in the periodic table as absolute and consider metals and non-metals as completely opposite in their properties. Challenge this misconception with this activity analysing the metal-like properties of non-metal elements.

Thanks for using the RSC’s education resources. You can view one resource per month as a visitor, or two resources per month when you’re logged in with a personal account.

A photograph of a teacher standing in a white lab coat, speaking with a class of children in a laboratory, is superimposed on a colourful background. Text reads "Teach Chemistry means support for classroom and staff room".

Register for Teach Chemistry for free, unlimited access

Registration is open to all teachers and technicians at secondary schools, colleges and teacher training institutions in the UK and Ireland.

Get all this, plus much more: 

unlimited access to resources, core practical videos and Education in Chemistry articles
teacher well-being toolkit, personal development resources and online assessments
applications for funding to support your lessons

Set up your Teach Chemistry account

Already a Teach Chemistry member? Sign in now.

Not a science teacher or technician based in the UK or Ireland? Don’t worry – you can also access all our resources with Royal Society of Chemistry membership.