THE CHEMISTRY OF SELECTED METALS AND NON-METALS

Abstract

The majority of the elements in the periodic table are metals, with about twenty ( 20 ) being non-metals. The metals are found to the left, and non-metals to the right. However, between these two extremes in the periodic table there are elements that display properties that have characteristics of both metals and non-metals. These are called METALLOIDS or SEMIMETALS. Elements of this type occur mainly in groups 3A and 5A and they tend to be SEMI-CONDUCTORS - that is they conduct electricity although not as well as metals. The semiconductors are used in making transistors and diodes which have revolutionised the electronic industry. Each of these main categories of elements-metals, non-metals and metalloids have their characteristic properties which shall be analytically x-rayed in this chapter.