At room temperature, a certain element is found to be a shiny, silver-colored solid that is a poor conductor of electricity. When a sample of the element is hit with a hammer, it shatters. Is the element likely to be a metal, a nonmetal, or a semimetal?

Key Concepts

Properties of Metals, Nonmetals, and Semimetals

Metals are typically shiny, good conductors of electricity, and malleable, while nonmetals are often dull, poor conductors, and brittle. Semimetals, or metalloids, exhibit properties of both metals and nonmetals. Understanding these characteristics helps in classifying elements based on their physical and electrical properties.

Malleability and Brittleness

Malleability refers to the ability of a material to be hammered or rolled into thin sheets without breaking, a property common in metals. In contrast, brittleness is the tendency of a material to shatter or break when subjected to stress, which is characteristic of nonmetals. The behavior of the element when struck with a hammer indicates its classification.

Electrical Conductivity

Electrical conductivity is a measure of how well a material can conduct an electric current. Metals are generally good conductors due to the presence of free-moving electrons, while nonmetals are poor conductors. The element's poor conductivity at room temperature suggests it is not a metal, guiding the classification process.