What is a Metal?
In chemistry, an element is considered to be a metal if it readily forms the positive ions known as cations and has a tendency to form metallic bonds.
The chemical and physical characteristics of the metals, such as malleability, ductility, ionization, bonding properties, etc, help to distinguish them from each other.
As shown in the figure above of the periodic table, group 1st elements except hydrogen, group 2nd to 12th elements, and some elements from group 13th to 17th including Lanthanoids and Actinides are metals. Some of the commonly known metals are Iron, Copper, Gold, Silver, etc.
Properties of Metals and Non-Metals
Metals and Non-metals have different properties and reactivity with other elements. This difference between the physical and chemical properties of elements depends on their position in the periodic table. The physical properties of substances (or elements) include tendencies like conductivity, density, malleability, ductility, lustrousness, physical state, etc. Moreover, the chemical properties of elements can include reactions with other elements and compounds, in order to check their reactivity, also include electronegativity, etc. Here is the periodic table showing metals, non-metals, and metalloids at different position and are highlighted with different colors, as shown below: