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GCSE Chemistry · key term
An element whose atoms typically lose electrons in reactions and form positive ions.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.1.2.3 · Paper 1
An element that reacts to form positive ions by losing electrons.
Revise: Metals and Non-MetalsElements that react to form positive ions are metals. Elements that do not form positive ions are non-metals.
Specification 1.18, 1.42 · Paper 1, Paper 2
An element whose atoms typically lose outer-shell electrons in reactions and form positive ions.
Revise: Metals and Non-metalsMost elements are metals. They occupy the left-hand side and the centre of the table, including the large central block of transition elements. The smaller set of non-metals is concentrated towards the upper right.
An element that typically forms a shiny solid with a high melting point and high density, and conducts electricity well.
Specification C2.2b · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher)
Revise: Structure and Periodic PositionIn general, metals occupy the left-hand side and centre of the table, while non-metals occur towards the right-hand side. A stepped or zig-zag boundary is often used to show the approximate division.
Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
An element that typically conducts electricity, is shiny when freshly exposed and forms positive ions in reactions with non-metals.
Revise: Metals vs non-metalsThe Periodic Table contains many more metals than non-metals. Metals occupy the left-hand side and centre, while non-metals are mainly on the right-hand side. A zig-zag boundary is often used to show the approximate division.
Use the ion formed, not appearance alone, for the defining distinction: a metal forms positive ions; a non-metal does not.
Do not say that every non-metal forms negative ions. Non-metal atoms may gain electrons, share electrons, or—like the noble gases—hardly react.
Use position, not appearance alone: metals occupy the left and centre of the periodic table; non-metals are mainly on the right.
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