Elements that react to form positive ions are metals.
Elements that do not form positive ions are non-metals.
The majority of elements are metals. Metals are found to the left and towards the bottom of the periodic table. Non-metals are found towards the right and top of the periodic table.
Students should be able to:
- explain the differences between metals and non-metals on the basis of their characteristic physical and chemical properties. This links to Group 0, Group 1, Group 7 and Bonding, structure and the properties of matter
- explain how the atomic structure of metals and non-metals relates to their position in the periodic table
- explain how the reactions of elements are related to the arrangement of electrons in their atoms and hence to their atomic number.