AQA · Chemistry · 8462

GCSE Chemistry: Metals and non-metals

Atomic structure and the periodic table · AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462), specification point 4.1.2.3. Cards are generated from the exam board's own specification for "Metals and non-metals", and every card links back to the page it came from. Specification © AQA — used with attribution.

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  1. What type of ion do metals form when they react?

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    Positive ions — metals lose electrons when they react.

  2. How are non-metals defined in terms of ion formation?

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    Non-metals are elements that do not form positive ions.

  3. Are most elements in the periodic table metals or non-metals?

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    Metals — the majority of elements are metals.

  4. Where are metals found in the periodic table?

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    To the left and towards the bottom.

  5. Where are non-metals found in the periodic table?

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    Towards the right and top.

  6. Why do metals sit on the left of the periodic table?

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    They have few electrons in their outer shell, so they lose them easily to form positive ions.

  7. What determines how an element reacts?

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    The arrangement of electrons in its atoms, which depends on its atomic number.

  8. Why don't non-metals form positive ions?

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    Their outer shells are nearly full, so they gain electrons (or share them) rather than lose them.

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