How can you tell if and element is a metal or nonmetal?

Answer 1

Most elements are metals. If you've identified your element, go to the Periodic Table and have a look see. A link is provided to the Wikipedia periodic table, and by looking at it, you can see what is and what isn't. All elements in Group 1 through Group 12 (inclusive) are metals. Group 1 is the alkalai metals, and Group 2 is the alkalai earth metals. Group 3 through Group 12 (inclusive) are the transition metals. The poor metals include those that are left, and they are aluminum, gallium, indium, thallium, tin, lead and bismuth. Note that hydrogen isn't a metal, though it is in Group 1. Note that the periodic table is interactive, and by going to any element's symbol you can link to the Wikipedia article on that element. Why not bookmark the Wikipedia periodic table? You'll quickly be able to find some particulars on any element. And by looking at it now and again, you'll get a feel for the chemistry of some of the elements. This handy tool can really give you a jump on figuring out how chemistry works and why things are the way they are and why they work the way they do.

Answer 2

In simple terms just by looking at them, and doing an electrical conductivity test you can tell the following.

the metals are shiny and conduct electricity. The non-metals which are gases or liquids are easy to distinguish. The solid non metals such as sulfur are not shiny and do not conduct electricity. (graphite conducts electricity but is soft and not that shiny). The metalloids look a bit like metals but are very poor conductors of electricity.

Answer 3

Where is it on the periodic table? The metals (which make up most elements) go from group 1 all the way to the "staircase" that winds its way from boron (B) down to polonium (Po). Everything to the right of that staircase is a non-metal. A small handful of elements which ride the staircase are metalloids, and those have properties of both.

Answer 4

Usually elements that are metals have names ending with the suffix -ium. Elements that are non-metals and noble gases usually have names ending with the suffix -on; with the exception of iron, which is a metal. Elements with names ending in the suffix -gen are also usually non-metals.

Answer 5

it is a solid and is magnetic and conducts electricity

Answer 6

any elements under the stair step line on a periodic table of elements are metals, except for the ones that touch the line, in which case they are metalloids

Answer 7

How well it conducts heat, if it is magnetic etc.

Answer 8

its position in the periodic table

Answer 9

Few valence electrons.