1.7 - Metals & Non-Metals

Where metals and non-metals sit

• Most elements in the periodic table are metals. They sit towards the left and the bottom.
• Non-metals occupy the smaller region at the top right.
• The two regions are split by a stepped dividing line that runs from boron to astatine:
  • Everything to the left of the line is a metal, except hydrogen, which is a non-metal.
  • Everything to the right of the line is a non-metal.

Elements along the dividing line

Elements lying along the dividing line show some properties of metals and some of non-metals, giving them intermediate character (metalloids).

How character changes across a period

Metallic character decreases gradually from left to right across a period, moving from metals on the left to non-metals on the right.