Name__________________________
Per ______
Metal, Nonmetal, or Metalloid?
Purpose: Explore the physical and chemical properties of eight elements with the goal
of classifying them as metals, nonmetals or metalloids.
Background: Elements have unique physical and chemical properties, which make
them useful for specific purposes in our everyday world. All known elements can be
classified as metals, nonmetals or metalloids according to the substance’s specific
physical and chemical properties.
Metals and nonmetals are separated on the periodic table by the staircase line.
Most elements are to the left of the staircase and classified as metals. All metals except
for copper and gold are a silver gray color and all solids except for mercury. Metals are
generally lustrous and shiny in appearance, can be hammered flat (malleable) or drawn
into a wire (ductile). They are also good conductors of heat and electricity, and usually
react with acids.
Nonmetals are found to the right of the staircase and are fewer in number.
Nonmetals are usually dull in appearance, and brittle. They are poor conductors of heat
and electricity and show little or no reaction with acids.
Elements found along the staircase are called metalloids except for aluminum.
Metalloids can show properties of either metals or nonmetals or even both.
In this laboratory activity, a variety of physical and chemical properties of eight
elements will be investigated, including color, luster, form, malleability, reaction with
hydrochloric acid solution, and reaction with cupric chloride solution. The elements will
then be classified as either metals, nonmetals, or metalloids.
Procedure: This lab will be done at eight stations, one for each element in question.
Groups will have 5 minutes per station to perform the following tests and record
observations on data table.
1. Observe and record the color of each element in the Data Table.
2. Observe and record the luster of each element in the Data Table.
3. Record any other physical properties that are observed about each element in
the Data Table.
4. Determine whether each element is malleable or brittle. To do this position a nail
on the sample and gently tap the nail with a hard object. A sample is malleable if
it dents or bends without shattering and a sample is brittle if it cracks into pieces
when struck. Record your results in the Data Table.
5. Place a small piece or few crystals in each of two test tubes. Have the teacher
come by and place the acid solution and copper solution in each of the two
tubes. Observe for a couple minutes and record results in Data Table.
Name__________________________
Per ______
6. Pour off liquid into a waste beaker (NOT DOWN the SINK) and then place the
solids into another waste beaker.
Post-Lab Questions:
1. Review the data gathered for the eight elements. Sort the eight elements into
groups, based on similarities and differences in their physical and chemical
properties. From the information provided in the Background reading, classify
each group as metals, nonmetals and metalloids.
2. Are there any inconsistencies within the groups you made? Do any elements
seem to have properties of both groups? Which? Explain.
3. For the elements that you categorized as metals, use the results in the data table
to estimate their position on the periodic table with reference to the left edge and
the staircase. (Hint: more or less metallic)
4. Predict the physical and chemical properties of the following elements which
were not tested in this lab – selenium and calcium.
Name__________________________
Per ______
Data Table: Metal, Nonmetal, or Metalloid?
Element
A
(Station 1)
B
(Station 2)
C
(Station 3)
D
(Station 4)
E
(Station 5)
F
(Station 6)
G
(Station 7)
H
(Station 8)
Color
Luster
Other
Properties
Result of
Tapping
Reaction with
Acid
Reaction with
CuCl2