Metals, Nonmetals and Metalloids Trends on the Periodic Table of Elements

Elements are arranged to show similarities in their properties Elements are arranged to show similarities in their properties. Elements can be grouped based on their physical properties.

Arrangement based on physical properties Elements are placed on sides of the Periodic Table based on shared physical properties. Notice on the table that there is a division on the right hand side that looks like a staircase. This division separates elements into one of three groups:

Metals METALS – elements that share these properties: a) shiny b) malleable and ductile c) conduct electricity and heat d) usually silvery-grey in colour (except copper and gold) e) sometimes magnetic (there are three magnetic elements: iron, nickel and cobalt) Metals are found on the left side of the divider.

Metals

Nonmetals NONMETALS – elements that share these properties: a) dull b) brittle and non-ductile c) do not conduct electricity or heat d) usually varied in colour (e.g. carbon is black, phosphorus is red, sulfur is yellow) e) not magnetic Nonmetals are found on the right of the divider (except hydrogen, which has its own special properties, but is considered a nonmetal based on these properties listed above).

Nonmetals Chlorine Carbon Phosphorus Iodine Sulfur

Metalloids METALLOIDS – these elements straddle the divider. They tend to share properties of metals and nonmetals. The metalloid elements are boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, tellurium, polonium, and astatine.

Metalloids