Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids Worksheet - Free Printable

Here is the completed worksheet with explanations:

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Identify each element as a metal, nonmetal or metalloid.

| Element | Classification |
|--------------|----------------|
| Copper | Metal |
| Oxygen | Nonmetal |
| Boron | Metalloid |
| Potassium | Metal |
| Silicon | Metalloid |
| Helium | Nonmetal |
| Aluminum | Metal |
| Hydrogen | Nonmetal |
| Calcium | Metal |
| Polonium | Metalloid |

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✔ Explanation for Element Classification:

- Copper (Cu) – Located in the transition metals section of the periodic table (gray square). → Metal
- Oxygen (O) – In the upper right, nonmetal region (white square). → Nonmetal
- Boron (B) – On the “staircase” line separating metals and nonmetals (dark gray square). → Metalloid
- Potassium (K) – Alkali metal group on far left (gray square). → Metal
- Silicon (Si) – Classic metalloid, directly on the staircase (dark gray). → Metalloid
- Helium (He) – Noble gas, top right corner (white square). → Nonmetal
- Aluminum (Al) – Post-transition metal, but classified as a metal (gray square). → Metal
- Hydrogen (H) – Although sometimes placed separately, it’s traditionally classified as a nonmetal.
- Calcium (Ca) – Alkaline earth metal (gray square). → Metal
- Polonium (Po) – On the staircase (dark gray), often classified as a metalloid, though it has some metallic properties. → Metalloid

> 💡 *Note: The periodic table provided uses color coding:*
> - Light gray = Metal
> - Dark gray = Metalloid
> - White = Nonmetal

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List four physical properties of metals, nonmetals and metalloids.

| Metals | Nonmetals | Metalloids |
|-------------------------|--------------------------|----------------------------|
| Shiny luster | Dull appearance | Semi-lustrous |
| Good conductors of heat & electricity | Poor conductors (insulators) | Semiconductors |
| Malleable (can be hammered into sheets) | Brittle (if solid) | Brittle (if solid) |
| Ductile (can be drawn into wires) | Not ductile | Not ductile |

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✔ Explanation of Physical Properties:

🔹 Metals:
- Shiny luster – Reflect light well (metallic shine).
- Conductivity – Free electrons allow easy flow of heat and electricity.
- Malleability – Can be shaped without breaking due to layers of atoms sliding.
- Ductility – Can be stretched into thin wires.

🔹 Nonmetals:
- Dull – Lack metallic shine.
- Poor conductors – No free electrons to carry current or heat.
- Brittle (as solids) – Break easily when struck (e.g., sulfur, iodine).
- Not ductile – Cannot be drawn into wires.

🔹 Metalloids:
- Semi-lustrous – Somewhere between shiny and dull.
- Semiconductors – Conduct electricity under certain conditions (used in electronics).
- Brittle – Like nonmetals, they shatter when hit.
- Intermediate properties – Exhibit traits of both metals and nonmetals.

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✔ Final Notes:
This worksheet helps students understand how elements are categorized based on their position in the periodic table and their physical behaviors. Metalloids are especially important because they bridge the gap between metals and nonmetals — their semiconductor properties make them essential in modern technology (like silicon in computer chips).

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