Valence Electrons, Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, properties of metals, nonmetals, and metalloids, and periodic table trends.

Valence electrons

The electrons with the highest energy, located in the outermost energy level.

Electron dot diagram

The chemical symbol of an element surrounded by one dot for each valence electron.

Reactivity

How easily and quickly an element reacts with other substances.

Malleable

The property of a material that can be hammered or rolled into flat sheets.

Ductile

The property of a material that can be pulled out into long wires.

Luster

The property of a material that is shiny and reflective.

Brittle

The property of a material that breaks or crumbles when hit.

Semiconductor

A material that conducts electric current under some conditions but not others.

Metals

Elements on the left of the periodic table that typically have $1$ to $3$ valence electrons, are shiny, malleable, ductile, good conductors of heat and electricity, and are mostly solids.

Nonmetals

Elements on the right of the periodic table that are dull and brittle, poor conductors of heat and electricity, and include many gases.

Metalloids

Elements located on the stair-step line that possess some properties of metals and some of nonmetals, are solid, brittle, hard, and act as semiconductors.

Silicon

The most common metalloid, which is used in computer chips and solar cells.

Mercury

The only metal that is a liquid.

Bromine

The only nonmetal that is a liquid.

Halogens

A group of nonmetals that are very reactive.

Noble gases

A group of nonmetals that are not reactive.

Stair-step line

The dividing line on the periodic table that separates metals on the left from nonmetals on the right, along which metalloids are found.