Metalloids Lab free essay sample

Metals occupy most of the periodic table. Metals are sometimes described as an arrangement of positive ions surrounded by a sea of delocalized electrons. The produced solid is held by electrostatic interactions between the ions and the electron cloud, which is called metallic bond. Typically, metals tend to give off electrons during chemical reactions to form positive charged ions called cations. One way to identify a metal is by reaction with acid. If a metal is reacted with a hydrochloric acid solution (HClaq), the metal will be transformed to his chloride salt and will be completely dissolve in the aqueous solution. Most metals can react with oxygen (air) to form metal oxides. Some metals form barrier layers of oxide on their surface which cannot be penetrated by further oxygen molecules and thus retain their shiny appearance and good conductivity for many decades. The oxides of metals are generally basic. One way of determining if an aqueous solution is basic is by using phenofthalein. We will write a custom essay sample on Metalloids Lab or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page An acid solution (pH lt; 7) will be clear while a basic solution (pH gt; 7) will give a pick color. Non-metals are totally the opposite of metals. They are very poor conductors of heat and electricity when compared to metals. They are considered insulators. Most of the non-metals are gases while some can be solid and Bromine is the only liquid. In a solid form, the non-metals are dull and brittle. Usually, they have lower densities and boiling points than metals. Even though only a few elements are considered non-metals, they composed most of our planet crust and resources including all living organism. When reacting with a metal, the non-metal gains electrons and it is transformed to an anion. M + X MaXb M = metal X = non-metal There are some elements with intermediate or mixed properties that are harder to characterize. These elements are sometimes classified as metalloids or semi-metals, from the latin metallum = metal and the Greek oeides = resembling in form or appearance. These elements have properties of metals and non-metals. They are solid, shinny but also brittle. They are good conductors of heat and electricity but not as good as metals. Metalloids are considered semiconductors. Purpose: To classify of this several samples of elements into metals, non-metals and metalloids base on their physical and chemical properties. Identify metals, nonmetals and metalloids on the periodic table. Materials: Lithium (Li), Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe), Aluminum (Al), Tin (Sn), Silicon (Si), Sulfur (S), Carbon (C), Chlorine (Cl), Iodine (I), Well plate, HCl solution, Forceps, CuCl2 solution, Conductivity tester Safety. Protective eyewear must be worn at all times due to the dangerous nature of handling chemicals. Never touch them with your bare hand. If you get any on your skin remove it immediately, flush the area with water, and then wash with soap and water.