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Lesson 14: Metals and Non-metals Key differences Uses in daily life Classification using properties
Year 8 • Chemistry
Lesson 14: Metals and Non-metals
In this lesson, students learn how to identify metals and non-metals, understand their key differences, and explain their everyday uses based on physical properties.
Lesson Objectives
- Identify metals and non-metals.
- Compare their physical properties.
- Explain everyday uses using properties.
- Classify substances using observations.
1. What Are Metals and Non-metals?
Elements can be grouped into metals and non-metals based on their properties.
[ Image Placeholder – Metals and Non-metals Examples ]
• Metals are usually shiny and strong
• Non-metals often look dull and are brittle
• Most elements are metals
• Non-metals often look dull and are brittle
• Most elements are metals
2. Key Differences Between Metals and Non-metals
[ Image Placeholder – Property Comparison ]
Metals:
• Good conductors of heat and electricity
• Can be bent or hammered (malleable)
• Usually solid at room temperature
• Good conductors of heat and electricity
• Can be bent or hammered (malleable)
• Usually solid at room temperature
Non-metals:
• Poor conductors
• Often brittle if solid
• Many are gases
3. Uses of Metals and Non-metals in Daily Life
The uses of materials depend on their properties.
[ Image Placeholder – Everyday Uses ]
Metals:
• Copper wires → electrical conduction
• Iron tools → strength
• Aluminium pans → good heat conduction
• Copper wires → electrical conduction
• Iron tools → strength
• Aluminium pans → good heat conduction
Non-metals:
• Oxygen → breathing
• Carbon → fuels and pencils
• Sulfur → matches
4. Classifying Substances Using Properties
Scientists identify substances by testing their properties.
[ Image Placeholder – Classification Tests ]
Classification clues:
• Shiny surface → metal
• Conducts electricity → metal
• Brittle and dull → non-metal
• Shiny surface → metal
• Conducts electricity → metal
• Brittle and dull → non-metal
Practice Questions
A. Fill in the Blanks
- Metals are good __________ of electricity.
- Non-metals are usually __________ conductors.
- Most metals are __________ at room temperature.
- Oxygen is a __________.
- Shiny substances are often __________.
B. True or False
- All metals are shiny.
- Non-metals can be gases.
- Metals are brittle.
- Copper is a metal.
- Carbon is a non-metal.
C. Short Answer
- Give two properties of metals.
- Give two properties of non-metals.
- Why is copper used for wires?
- Why is iron used to make tools?
- How can you tell if a substance is a metal?
✅ Show Answer Key
A. Fill in the Blanks
- conductors
- poor
- solid
- non-metal
- metals
B. True or False
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
C. Short Answer
- Conduct electricity, malleable (any two).
- Poor conductors, brittle, dull (any two).
- It conducts electricity well.
- It is strong.
- By testing properties such as conductivity and shine.
© Aviate Learning – Metals and Non-metals (Year 8)
🔬 Interactive Metal vs Non-Metal Tests
Perform simple tests to decide whether the unknown substance is a metal or a non-metal.
Use the results to make your conclusion.
Click a test button to observe the result.