Question

Write the names and symbols for four elements in each of the following categories: (a) nonmetal, (b) metal, (c) metalloid.

Short answer

Nonmetals: O, N, C, H; Metals: Fe, Cu, Al, Au; Metalloids: Si, B, Ge, As.

Step-by-step solution

Identifying Nonmetals

Nonmetals typically have high electronegativities and ionization energies. They can be found on the right side of the periodic table and include elements such as oxygen and nitrogen. Common nonmetals are: - Oxygen (O) - Nitrogen (N) - Carbon (C) - Hydrogen (H)

Identifying Metals

Metals are usually good conductors of electricity and heat, have high density and melting points, and are found on the left side of the periodic table. Common metals include: - Iron (Fe) - Copper (Cu) - Aluminum (Al) - Gold (Au)

Identifying Metalloids

Metalloids have properties that are intermediate between metals and nonmetals and are found along the 'stair-step' line on the periodic table. Common metalloids include: - Silicon (Si) - Boron (B) - Germanium (Ge) - Arsenic (As)

Key concepts

Nonmetals

Nonmetals are fascinating elements that are essential to various chemical processes. They are typically located on the right side of the periodic table. Some of the most recognizable nonmetals include oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), carbon (C), and hydrogen (H). These elements have some interesting properties:

• They generally have high electronegativities, which means they have a strong tendency to attract electrons in a chemical bond.
• Nonmetals possess high ionization energies, indicating that it requires a lot of energy to remove an electron from these atoms.
• In their pure form, they can exist as gases, like oxygen and nitrogen, or as solids, like carbon in the form of graphite or diamond.

Unlike metals, which are good conductors of electricity, nonmetals are typically poor conductors. This means they do not readily allow the passage of heat and electricity. Understanding nonmetals is crucial because they play vital roles in life processes and the formation of organic compounds.

Metals

Metals are among the most widely used materials in the world. You can find them on the left side of the periodic table. Some of the most common metals are iron (Fe), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), and gold (Au). Metals are known for their distinct characteristics:

• They generally have high densities and melting points, meaning they are often solid at room temperature, with exceptions like mercury (Hg).
• Metals are excellent conductors of electricity and heat, making them invaluable in electrical wiring and cookware.
• They are malleable and ductile, allowing them to be shaped into sheets and drawn into wires without breaking. This property is indispensable in construction and manufacturing.

Metals tend to lose electrons during chemical reactions, forming positive ions. This quality is one reason why metals are fundamental in the development of alloys and various mechanical applications.

Metalloids

Metalloids are unique elements that exhibit properties of both metals and nonmetals. They are strategically positioned along the "stair-step" line on the periodic table, which separates metals and nonmetals. Some classic examples of metalloids include silicon (Si), boron (B), germanium (Ge), and arsenic (As). Here are some characteristics of metalloids:

• They have intermediate conductivity, which makes them great semiconductors used in electronic devices. Silicon, for example, is a critical component in computer chips.
• Metalloids often have metallic luster, giving them a shiny appearance akin to metals, yet they may behave like nonmetals in other conditions.
• Their chemical behavior can vary depending on the elements they interact with, sometimes acting like metals and other times like nonmetals.

Understanding metalloids is essential in fields like materials science and electronics because their mixed properties offer flexibility and useful applications in technology.