Final answer:
Metals and nonmetals have several similarities and differences. Metals are typically shiny, good conductors of electricity and heat, and malleable and ductile, while nonmetals are dull, poor conductors of electricity and heat, and brittle. Both metals and nonmetals have the ability to form compounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
Metals and nonmetals have several similarities and differences. Two properties unique to metals are that they are typically shiny and good conductors of electricity and heat. For example, silver is a metal that has a shiny appearance and is an excellent conductor of electricity. Another property unique to metals is that they are malleable and ductile. This means that they can be beaten into thin sheets and drawn into thin wires, respectively. For instance, gold is a metal that is both malleable and ductile.
On the other hand, nonmetals are typically dull in appearance and poor conductors of electricity and heat. For example, sulfur is a nonmetal that has a dull yellow appearance and is a poor conductor of electricity. Another property unique to nonmetals is that they are brittle. This means that they are easily shattered or broken. For instance, carbon is a nonmetal that is brittle in its solid form.
One thing both metals and nonmetals have in common is that they can form compounds. Metals tend to form ionic compounds by losing electrons, while nonmetals tend to form molecular compounds by sharing electrons. For example, sodium (a metal) can form an ionic compound with chlorine (a nonmetal) to create sodium chloride (table salt).