Question

Identify each of the following elements as a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid: (a) germanium, (b) bismuth, (c) sul- (d) calcium, phur, (e) rhenium, (f) tin.

Short answer

(a) Germanium (Ge) - Metalloid, (b) Bismuth (Bi) - Metal, (c) Sulfur (S) - Nonmetal, (d) Calcium (Ca) - Metal, (e) Rhenium (Re) - Metal, (f) Tin (Sn) - Metal.

Step-by-step solution

Locate each element on the periodic table

To determine the classification of the elements, find them on the periodic table. You can use a physical periodic table or an online version.

Identify the classification based on the element's location on the periodic table

The periodic table is divided into categories based on the properties of the elements. Metals are generally found on the left-hand side and center of the table, nonmetals are on the right-hand side, and metalloids are found between metals and nonmetals on a diagonal line called the "stair-step." Use the location of each element to determine its classification. (a) Germanium (Ge) - Locate Germanium in group 14 and period 4 on the periodic table. It is near the stair-step, so it is classified as a metalloid. (b) Bismuth (Bi) - Locate Bismuth in group 15 and period 6 on the periodic table. It is located on the left side of the table, so it is classified as a metal. (c) Sulfur (S) - Locate Sulfur in group 16 and period 3 on the periodic table. It is located on the right side of the table, so it is classified as a nonmetal. (d) Calcium (Ca) - Locate Calcium in group 2 and period 4 on the periodic table. It is located on the left side of the table, so it is classified as a metal. (e) Rhenium (Re) - Locate Rhenium in group 7 and period 6 on the periodic table. It is located in the center region of the table, so it is classified as a metal. (f) Tin (Sn) - Locate Tin in group 14 and period 5 on the periodic table. It is located on the left side of the stair-step, so it is classified as a metal.

Summary:

To conclude, these are the classifications for the elements given: (a) Germanium (Ge) - Metalloid (b) Bismuth (Bi) - Metal (c) Sulfur (S) - Nonmetal (d) Calcium (Ca) - Metal (e) Rhenium (Re) - Metal (f) Tin (Sn) - Metal

Key concepts

Metals

Metals are a fascinating group of elements that are typically located on the left-hand side and center of the periodic table. They have some unique properties which make them stand out. One defining feature of metals is their ability to conduct electricity and heat efficiently. This makes them invaluable for a vast array of applications, from electrical wiring to cooking utensils.
Metals are usually shiny and malleable, meaning they can be bent and shaped without breaking. They can also be drawn into wires, a property known as ductility. Two common metals that students often encounter are calcium and tin. Calcium, for instance, is located in group 2 and is crucial for living organisms as it forms essential components in bones and teeth. Tin, a versatile element, is found in group 14 and is often used as a protective coating for other metals to prevent corrosion.
Furthermore, the periodic table has many metals, including transition metals. These elements, like rhenium, are celebrated for their exceptional strength and resistance to wear and corrosion, making them ideal for high-stress applications such as in jet engines and electrical contacts.

Nonmetals

Nonmetals offer a wide range of properties that make them quite distinct from metals. These elements are typically found on the right-hand side of the periodic table. Sulfur, a classic example of a nonmetal, finds abundant use in everyday life, ranging from the manufacturing of fertilizers and insecticides to household detergents.
The properties of nonmetals are different from those of metals. Nonmetals are typically poor conductors of heat and electricity, which is why they are often used as insulators in different devices. They are also not shiny and tend to break or shatter easily, which means they are brittle.
In their gaseous forms, nonmetals like oxygen and nitrogen became integral to life as we know it. In solid form, they can exhibit a range of colors and forms, adding to their diversity and usefulness in chemical reactions and compounds.

Metalloids

Metalloids straddle the boundary between metals and nonmetals, displaying characteristics of both groups. They are located along a zigzag line on the periodic table, often referred to as the "stair-step" line. Germanium, classified as a metalloid, has properties that make it incredibly useful in the technology sector.
Metalloids have intermediate electrical conductivity that's better than nonmetals but not as good as metals. This makes them perfect for use in semiconductors, which are crucial for electronic devices like smartphones, computers, and solar cells. In addition, metalloids can have a shiny, metallic appearance but behave chemically more like nonmetals.
Their unique position in the periodic table allows metalloids to act as bridges, or mediators, between metals and nonmetals when it comes to electron sharing and bonding, thereby playing a crucial role in creating alloys and ceramic materials with tailored properties.

Element Classification

The classification of elements into metals, nonmetals, and metalloids is fundamental to understanding chemical properties and behaviors. This classification is primarily defined by an element’s location on the periodic table and its defining physical characteristics.
When we explore the periodic table, we see metals dominating the left and central areas, nonmetals on the far right, and metalloids lining the boundary in between. This distribution isn't a random occurrence but is a reflection of their electron configurations and the types of bonds they tend to form.
Recognizing these classifications helps in predictively determining the reactivity of elements, their energy levels, and how they might interact with other elements. Students often start with simple exercises, identifying elements like bismuth as a metal or sulfur as a nonmetal, to understand broader chemical trends. Such groundwork is vital for tackling more complex chemistry topics as they progress in their studies.