Class 10th Science: All About Metals and Non metals with Examples

BY Team Aakash Byju's

Metal is an element whose atom loses one or more electrons when supplied with energy.

- The atoms of metals have 1, 2 or 3 valence electrons. - The valency of a metal is the no. of electrons lost per atom.

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Metals tend to lose electrons and form positive ions (cations) and form electrovalent compounds.

Example The element potassium's symbol is K. Its atom has one valence electron. So it has a valency one, and it is univalent.

The elements whose atoms gain one or more electrons when supplied with energy are non-metals.

NON-METAL

- Nonmetallic atoms have 4,5,6 or 7 valence electrons. - Valency of a non metal is the number of electrons gained per atom. 

If a non-metallic atom has: - 4 valence electrons, its valency is 8-4 = 4. - 5 valence electrons, its valency is 8-5 = 3.

If a non-metallic atom has: - 6 valence electrons,its valency =2. - 7 valence electrons,its valency = 1.

- Non-metals tend to gain electrons and form negative ions(anions). - Non-metals form electrovalent or covalent compounds.

Example  Symbol of chlorine - Cl. The chlorine atom has seven valence electrons. Therefore its valency is 8-7 =1.

Chlorine is univalent. It gains one electron and forms a negative ion (anion).