In the    Periodic Table  Group(1) IA and Group(2) IIA (the alkali metals) are the most active metals.   The transition elements, groups (3 to 12 )  IB to VIIIB, are also considered metals.

Most metals have positive valences i.e. during a reaction, they tend to give away electrons to the substances they react with.  The therefore enter chemical reactions as positive ions (cations)   Also, metals have low combining power, in that when they react and mix, they easily lose electrons.

Characteristics of metals

The vast majority of metals form lattice structures such as Body centred cubic (BCC).   Face centred cubic -Close packed cubic(CCP) and hexagonal close=packed structures (HCP).

Bonding between metal atoms is by the   metallic bond.

Non-metals have negative valences unlike metals.   They either react mildly (carbon group, nitrogen group and oxygen group) or they are non-reactive (noble gases).   Non-metals also tend to gain more electrons during a reaction.

Characteristics of non-metals<