Basic features of metal and non metal

There are various types of elements or materials around us. Some of these are metal and some of are non-metal.

Here, some basic features of metal and non-metal are given below.

Features of metal:-

(1) Metals are good conductor of heat.

(2) Metals are good conductor of electricity.

(3) Metals are ductile in nature, which means they can be stretched to make or converted into thin wires.

(4) The surface of metal is shiny.

(5) Most metals have the property of hard in nature or hardness is one of their quality.

(6) Every metals have their own boiling and melting point.

(7) Most of the elements in a periodic table are metal.

(8) When reacting with oxygen in the air, metal produces metal oxides.

(9) When metal reacts with bases, it produces salt and hydrogen.

(10) Metals are solid in nature but mercury is a liquid metal at room temperature.

(11) To form alloys, metals are mixed or reacted with other elements.

(12) Metals are mostly found in pure state in nature.

Features of non-metal:-

(1) Non-metals are bad conductor of heat.

(2) Non-metals are bad conductor of electricity.

(3) Non-metals are not ductile in nature, which means they can not be stretched to make or converted into thin wires.

(4) Appearance of non-metal is dull and they are not shiny.

(5) Non-metals includes solids, liquids and gases.

Uses of metal

(1) Metals are good conductor of electricity. So metal wires are used in electrical bulbs.

(2) Metals are widely used in manufacturing companies. Metals such as iron, steel, and copper are used in various machinery equipment.

(3) Metals have medicinal properties and are needed in the human body. These metals included iron , zinc , copper etc . So metals are used in the medicinal industry.

(4) Metals such as gold, silver etc are widely used as jewellery and decoration purposes.

(5) Metals are used in construction of heavy machinery, war equipment etc.

(6) Metals are very hard in nature , so it is used to form various big statues and iconic building.

Uses of non metal

(1) Non metal such as oxygen is the basis of living creatures.

(2) Various non metal such as sulfer are used as a chemical solution in the field of farming or cultivation.

(3) Non metal such as nitrogen is essential for growth of plants.

(4) Non metal chlorine is used to purify water.

(5) Iodine is another non metal. It is needed for proper growth of a body as well as proper functioning of a body.

(6) Non metal have medicinal properties also. It is used in various medicine industry and used in beauty products as well.

(7) Carbon is one of the most widely used non metal.

(8) lightest widely used non metal is hydrogen. It is used in balloons to lift it.

Above given are some basic features of metal and non-metal. But some exceptions are also there in their above given features.

Metals and non metals have significance in day to day life. I hope, students will be benefited from these explanations.

Below, some basic explanation of the energy source and their applicability is given:-

Energy can be broadly classified into two categories. Such as:-

(i) Renewable energy source

(ii) Non renewable energy source

Non renewable energy sources :-

Fossil Fuels :-

Coal:- A solid form of carbon rich energy is from a coal based source. It is basically used in electricity generation and industrial processes. It burns inefficiently, emitting large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO²) and other pollutants, contributing to climate change.

Oil and petrolium:- Extracted from underground reservoirs and it is used for transportation, heating, and electricity generation. Oil is refined into products like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. Its extraction and burning contribute adversely to global warming or it has a negative impact on global warming.

Natural gas:- Primarily made of methane, natural gas is usually used for heating, electricity, and as a fuel for vehicles. It emits less carbon dioxide or CO² than coal and oil. But it still degrades nature and atmosphere and can leak methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Nuclear energy :-

Nuclear energy is generated through a process called fission, where the nucleus of a heavy atom is split to release energy. This energy heats water to produce steam, which drives turbines to generate electricity. Nuclear power produces a large amount of energy with minimal greenhouse gas emissions. It’s highly efficient and can run continuously. But the primary limitation is the radioactive waste it produces, which remains dangerous for thousands of years. Nuclear plants are also expensive to build and maintain cost is very high and have the chance of a huge disaster.

Renewable Energy Sources :-

Solar energy :-

Solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity. Solar thermal plants use mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight to produce heat, which is then used to generate electricity. Solar energy is renewable and produces no emissions during operation. It also requires significant space and energy storage solutions such as like batteries to ensure a steady power supply.

Wind Energy :-

Wind turbines capture the kinetic energy of wind and convert it into mechanical energy, which is then turned into electricity. Area where wind frequency is high, wind farms are also growing in popularity due to stronger and more consistent wide. Wind energy is clean, abundant, and renewable. Its cost-effective technology. Wind can be unpredictable, making it less reliable than other sources.

Hydropower :-

Water stored in dams is released to flow through turbines, which generate electricity as the water’s kinetic energy turns the turbines. Hydropower is a well-established, reliable source of renewable energy that can provide consistent power. It also offers the benefit of energy storage through pumped-storage hydropower, which can generate electricity when demand is high. But the construction of dams is also expensive.

Each of these energy sources has its unique characteristics. Although non renewable sources of energy is mostly utilised but nowadays Renewable sources are growing in popularity and it is due to various reasons and it concerns about climate change intensify, but non-renewable sources still dominate global energy production.

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