Periodic Table, Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids

Vocabulary flashcards covering the properties of metals, nonmetals, and metalloids, physical properties of matter, and real-world examples.

Periodic Table

A table that puts all the known elements in a specific order based on their physical and chemical properties.

Metals

A category of elements that are usually solid at room temperature, highly malleable, good conductors of heat and electricity, and bright/shiny in luster. Examples include copper, aluminum, gold, and silver.

Nonmetals

A category of elements that are poor conductors of heat and electricity, dull and brittle in the solid state, and can exist as solids, liquids, or gases at room temperature. Examples include oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and sulfur.

Metalloids

Elements that demonstrate properties of both metals and non-metals, usually existing as solids at room temperature with medium electrical conductivity. Examples include silicon, boron, and germanium.

Electrical Conductivity

The ability of a substance to conduct electricity, which is high in metals, low in nonmetals, and medium in metalloids.

Malleability

The ability of a material to be hammered or pressed into shapes without breaking.

Hardness

The resistance of a material to being scratched, measured on the Mohs hardness scale from $1$ to $10$.

Mohs Hardness Scale

A scale ranging from $1$ to $10$ used to measure a material's resistance to being scratched.

Density

A property describing how much material is in a given amount of something.

Solubility

How easily a substance dissolves in a liquid, usually water.

Viscosity

The resistance of a fluid to flow.

Melting Point

The temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid, which is equivalent to the freezing point of a liquid.

Boiling Point

The temperature at which a liquid becomes a gas.

Luster

The shine of an element, characterized as bright/shiny for metals, dull for nonmetals, and variable for metalloids.

Mercury

A unique metal with medium viscosity that is liquid at room temperature.

Copper

A metal element known for high electrical conductivity, making it suitable for use in wires.

Silicon

A metalloid element with medium electrical conductivity used in computer chips.

Diamond

A nonmetal form of carbon noted for being very hard on the Mohs hardness scale.

Gold

A metal with high malleability that can be hammered into very thin sheets.

Sulfur

A nonmetal element with low malleability that breaks when hit.

Sodium

A metal element that is soft enough to cut with a knife.

Lead

A metal element characterized by high density.

Helium

A nonmetal element characterized by very low density.