Metals vs. Metalloids

Main Difference

The main difference between Metals and Metalloids is that Metals are considered as the elements that comprise a very low value of electronegativity, whereas Metalloids are the elements that are considered to contain an intermediate value of electronegativity.

Difference Between Metals and Metalloids

Comparison Chart

Metals vs. Metalloids

Metals are referred to as the elements that are capable of showing the metallic behavior of the highest degree. Metalloids, on the other hand, are referred to as the elements that are capable of showing the metallic behavior of a low degree.

In the periodic table, metals are considered to be located on the left side. The metalloids, on the other side, are considered to be located at the place that separates the metals from the nonmetals in a periodic table.

In a chemical reaction, metals are referred to as the elements that readily lose electrons. Metalloids, on the flip side, are the elements that are capable of losing or gaining electrons in the chemical reactions. Sodium, iron, tin, and plutonium are some examples of metals. Silicon, boron, and arsenic are some examples of metalloids.

What are the Metals?

The elements of the periodic table, which contain the highest degree of metallic behavior, are called metals. Metals are believed to be present on the left side of the periodic table. Luster or shine is referred to as the characteristic metallic appearance of these elements of the periodic table. Ductility and malleability are suggested as the main feature of metals.

The ability of the metal to deform under pressure is known as the malleability, whereas the ability of a metal to be drawn into wire-like structures is known as the ductility. When we talk about the state of metals, we came to know that at room temperature, they are generally solids. But the element of mercury is considered as an exceptional case.

Even though mercury is referred to as a metallic element, but at room temperature, it occurs in a liquid form because all the remaining metals of periodic table generally comprise higher melting points. When we compare the mercury atoms with the metal atoms, we came to know that they are referred to as weak atoms in sharing electrons with each other. This is the reason because of which they show weak interactions among them.

Mercury atoms are able to escape easily because of the above reason and therefore show a lower melting point. Metals are referred to as the excellent conductors of heat and electricity as they are involved in readily losing electrons, due to which they are capable of participating in the conduction of electricity. In simple words, we can say that free electrons are present in the metals.

In the presence of saltwater and under moist conditions, metals are believed to undergo corrosion. Metal elements are considered to be present in all the s, p, d, and f blocks of the periodic table. Less number of electrons are present in the outermost s and p orbitals (except for few metals) of the metals in the periodic table.

Cations are generally formed by the metals. As a result, the oxidation numbers of metals remain nearly positive values. A very low value of electronegativity is shown by metals, and hence they are able to form the ionic compounds. Sodium, iron, tin, and plutonium are referred to as some examples of metals.

What are Metalloids?

The elements of the periodic table, which contain a low degree of metallic behavior, are called metals. Metalloids are the elements of the periodic table that are capable of showing some metallic and some non-metal properties. Metalloids may comprise a dull or shiny look. Malleability and ductility are not shown by these types of elements of the periodic table.

The production of semiconductors is referred to as the major application of metalloids. At room temperatures, all metalloids are considered as the solids. We find the density of the metalloids in between the metals and the non-metals. They are referred to as the brittle elements of the periodic table. Metalloids are considered to be present in the p block of the periodic table.

Metalloids are referred to as the elements of the periodic table that are located between the metals and non-metals of the periodic table. A medium number of electrons are present in the s and p orbitals. Metalloids are involved in the conduction of electricity and heat, even though they are not considered as the excellent electrical and thermal conductors.

Metalloids are capable of forming the covalent bonds, and because of this reason, they are believed to be found in the covalent compounds. As we all know that metalloids exist in solid-state at room temperature, therefore they are considered to comprise high melting points. Metalloids have the ability to form anions in aqueous solutions.

The negative or positive oxidation numbers are shown by the metalloids because of their ability to form anions. Metalloids are referred to as the elements of the periodic table that are capable of losing or gaining electrons in the chemical reactions. Silicon, boron, and arsenic are considered as some examples of metalloids.

Conclusion

All of the above discussion concludes that both the metals and metalloids are referred to as the elements that are present in the earth. The formers are the elements of the periodic table that are involved in showing the highest degree of metallic behavior, on the other hand, the latter are the elements of the periodic table that are involved in showing a low degree of metallic behavio