On which basis, m

Materials can be divided as metals and non-metals. Metals can be separated on the basis of physical and chemical properties.

Physical properties – Ductility, Malleability, Lustre and Hardness are physical properties.

Chemical properties –

(i) Metals on reaction with oxygen form basic oxides while non -metals on reaction with oxygen form acidic oxides.

(ii) Metals react with water but non-metals do not react with water.

(iii) Metals react with acids and produce hydrogen gas but non-metals do not react with acids.

(iv) Metals react with bases and produce hydrogen gas but reactions of non-metals with bases are complex.