Metals and Non-metals

40 lessons, pages 821–860.

  1. Metals and Non-metals on the Periodic Table — The staircase line and where each type of element sits
  2. Physical Properties of Metals — Lustre, conductivity, malleability, ductility and high density
  3. Why Metals Conduct and Bend — A simple model of metallic bonding: ions in a sea of electrons
  4. Physical Properties of Non-metals — Dull, brittle, insulating and often gases at room temperature
  5. Exceptions to the Rules — Mercury, soft sodium, conducting graphite and shiny iodine
  6. Metalloids: Elements on the Borderline — Silicon, germanium and properties between metals and non-metals
  7. Metals Form Positive Ions — Losing outer electrons to reach a stable arrangement
  8. Non-metals Gain or Share Electrons — Negative ions and covalent bonds between non-metal atoms
  9. Metal Oxides Are Basic — Oxides that neutralise acids and form alkalis in water
  10. Non-metal Oxides Are Acidic — Carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and acidic solutions
  11. Amphoteric Oxides — Aluminium oxide and zinc oxide reacting with both acids and bases
  12. Metals Reacting with Oxygen — Burning, tarnishing and forming metal oxides
  13. Metals Reacting with Cold Water — Group 1 metals and calcium forming hydroxides and hydrogen
  14. Metals Reacting with Steam — Magnesium, zinc and iron forming oxides and hydrogen
  15. What Makes a Metal Reactive? — Reactivity as the tendency to lose electrons
  16. Building a Reactivity Series from Evidence — Ranking metals using observations of their reactions
  17. The Reactivity Series from Potassium to Gold — The standard order and a way to remember it
  18. Carbon and Hydrogen in the Reactivity Series — Non-metal reference points used to compare metals
  19. Metals Reacting with Dilute Acids — The general pattern: metal + acid gives a salt + hydrogen
  20. Testing for Hydrogen Gas — The squeaky pop test and what it shows
  21. Comparing How Fast Metals React with Acid — Bubbling, temperature rise and reactivity order
  22. Naming Salts Made from Metals and Acids — Chlorides, sulfates and nitrates from their parent acids
  23. Writing Equations for Metal and Acid Reactions — Word equations, formulae and balancing
  24. Metals That Do Not React with Dilute Acids — Copper, silver and gold below hydrogen
  25. Ionic Equations for Metal and Acid Reactions — Metal atoms and hydrogen ions: spectator ions removed
  26. Displacement Reactions of Metals — A more reactive metal pushing a less reactive one out of solution
  27. Predicting Displacement Reactions — Using the reactivity series to decide whether a reaction occurs
  28. Displacement as a Redox Reaction — Oxidation is loss, reduction is gain of electrons
  29. Oxidising and Reducing Agents in Metal Reactions — Identifying which species gives and which accepts electrons
  30. Displacing Metals from Their Oxides — The thermite reaction as a conceptual example of oxide displacement
  31. Reactivity and How Metals Are Found — Native gold, ores and a first look at extraction methods
  32. Choosing Metals for a Job — Linking properties and reactivity to everyday uses
  33. Alloys: Mixing Metals to Improve Them — Steel, brass and bronze and why alloys are harder
  34. What Is Corrosion? — Metals slowly reacting with their surroundings
  35. Rusting of Iron Needs Water and Oxygen — The conditions and the product, hydrated iron(III) oxide
  36. Investigating the Conditions for Rusting — Comparing nails in different environments as a fair test
  37. Preventing Rust with Barriers — Paint, oil, grease and plastic coatings
  38. Galvanising and Sacrificial Protection — Using a more reactive metal to protect iron
  39. Corrosion of Other Metals — Aluminium's oxide layer, copper's green patina and silver tarnish
  40. Metals and Non-metals: Unit Review — Properties, reactivity series, metal and acid reactions and corrosion