Final answer:
Elements can be classified as metallic, nonmetallic, or metalloid based on their position in the periodic table. Metals are shiny and good conductors of heat and electricity, nonmetals are dull and poor conductors, and metalloids have properties in between.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on their position in the periodic table, we can classify elements as metallic, nonmetallic, or metalloid. Metals are typically shiny, silvery in color, and are good conductors of heat and electricity. Examples of metals include iron, copper, and magnesium. Nonmetals, on the other hand, are typically dull, poor conductors of heat and electricity, and are often brittle. Examples of nonmetals include oxygen, sulfur, and carbon. Lastly, metalloids, also known as semimetals, have properties intermediate between metals and nonmetals. They are located in a diagonal line on the periodic table and include elements such as silicon, germanium, and boron.