Metal, Nonmetal, or Metalloid? Lab

Name:

Purpose:  To investigate several properties of seven elements and based on those properties identify each element as metal, nonmetal, or metalloid.

Materials:  Seven elements, Conductivity tester, Hammer, 1M HCl,

Procedure:

1. At each lab table a different element is located.  You will perform the same tests and/or observations at each station.  You will move at the direction of the teacher.
2. Appearance:  Observe and record the appearance of each element, including physical properties such as color, luster, and form.
3. Conductivity:  You will test the conductivity of each element.  An element is either a conductor or a nonconductor.
4. Crushing:  Gently tap each element with your hammer.  Each element is either brittle (shatters when struck) or malleable (flattens in a thin sheet).
5. Reactivity with acid: Place a small piece of the element in a well place with 15-20 drops of 1M HCl.  Remember the indicators of a chemical reaction.
6. Observe and record your results at each lab station.

Data Table:

Element	Appearance	Conductivity	Result of Crushing	Reaction with HCl
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.

Analysis

1. Classify each property tested in this activity as either a physical property or a chemical property.

Activity	Physical or Chemical
Appearance
Conductivity
Result of Crushing
Reaction with HCl

2. Sort the coded elements tested into two groups based on similarities or differences in their physical or chemical properties.

3. Which element (s) can be placed into either group?

4. Using the following information, classify each element tested as a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid.
   1. Metals have a luster, are malleable, and conduct electricity.
   2. Many metals react with acids.
   3. Nonmetals are usually dull in appearance, are brittle, and do not conduct electricity.
   4. Metalloids have some properties of both metals and nonmetals.

Element	Metal, Nonmetal, or Metalloid
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.