Classification of Elements

Metals:-

          First, the metals. They are found in the left, center and lower parts of the periodic table which is of red colour. The metals can easily loose electrons, but they are poor at gaining electrons. The net effect is that the metals tend to lose electrons.

Non Metals:-

          Second, the nonmetals. They are found on the top and right side of the periodic table which is of blue colour. They include hydrogen. The nonmetals do not loose electrons, but they are good at gaining electrons. They gain electrons better than they lose them. Thus the non metals are electron absorber.

Inert Gases:-

          Third, the inert gases, or the noble gases, as they are sometimes called, are found in the far right column of the periodic table. Sometimes these are included with the nonmetals because they are not metals. However their behavior and properties are different enough from the other nonmetals that we will consider them as a separate classification. They are poor non reactive.

Metalloids:-

          We can also consider a fourth classification, the metalloids. The transition from metallic properties and behavior to nonmetallic properties and behavior is not a simple matter of stepping over a line that can be drawn on the periodic table. In some ways germanium behaves like a nonmetal, and arsenic has some metallic properties. These elements along the dividing line between metals and nonmetals sometimes are put in their own classification of metalloids. The entire semiconductor industry is based on the awareness of the special properties of these elements.