METALS, NONMETALS, METALLOIDS and METALLURGY
    All elements are classified into metals, non-metals and metalloids.
    Majority of the elements are Metals (metallic properties).
    Nonmetals have properties opposite those of the metals.
    Metalloids have properties similar to both metals and non-metals.
  Metallic Elements                  Nonmetallic elements              Metalloids
  Distinguishing luster (shine)      Non-lustrous, various colors      Can be shiny or dull
  Malleable and ductile              Brittle, hard or soft             Solids
  (flexible) as solids
  Conduct heat and electricity       Poor conductors                   Conduct heat and electricity
                                                                       better than nonmetals but not
                                                                       as well as metals
  Metallic oxides are basic,         Nonmetallic oxides are acidic,    They can form alloys with
  ionic                              compounds                         other metals.
  Cations in aqueous solution        Anions, oxyanions in aqueous      gains electrons in reactions
                                     solution
                                                   Used as
  Zinc : galvanizing iron, in        Boron : making skin ointments.    Boron : borosilicate glass.
  anti-corrosion material, in        Phosphorus : making crackers.     Silicon : computers,
  medicinal fields and in alloys.    Chlorine : in the form of         transistors, solar cells, LCD
  Iron : construction material       bleaching powder, is used for     screens, to control the flow of
  in bridges, houses, ships etc.     purification of water.            electricity.
  Lead : making water pipes, in      Oxygen, hydrogen and              Germanium : wide-angle
  pigments, batteries, in alloys     nitrogen : used by all living     camera lenses, microscope
  etc.                               things, they are the "building    lenses, etc.
  Mercury : thermometer              blocks" of life.                  Antimony : making of flame
                                                                       retardants.
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