Metals are like super‑fast runners that carry heat from one end to the other. They have high thermal conductivity, meaning they can transfer heat quickly. Non‑metals, on the other hand, are more like slow walkers – they don’t conduct heat well.
Example: A metal spoon in a hot pot heats up faster than a wooden spoon. 🍴🔥
Metals are excellent conductors of electricity because their outer electrons are free to move. Think of them as a highway with many lanes for electrons. Non‑metals are like a single‑lane road with traffic jams – they block electron flow.
Formula: Conductivity is measured as \$σ\$ (sigma). Higher \$σ\$ means better conductivity. ⚡️
Metals can be hammered into thin sheets (malleability) or drawn into wires (ductility). Non‑metals are brittle; they snap instead of bending.
Analogy: A metal sheet is like a piece of play‑dough that can be stretched and shaped. A glass of water is brittle – it will break if you try to bend it. 🍰💧
Metals usually have high melting and boiling points because their atoms are tightly bound. Non‑metals often melt or boil at lower temperatures.
Example: Iron melts at 1538 °C, while water (a non‑metal) boils at 100 °C. 🔥💧
| Property | Metals | Non‑Metals |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal Conductivity | High – fast heat transfer | Low – slow heat transfer |
| Electrical Conductivity | High – electrons move freely | Low – electrons are bound |
| Malleability & Ductility | Can be hammered or drawn | Brittle – break easily |
| Melting & Boiling Points | High – strong atomic bonds | Low – weaker bonds |