Metals, Nonmetals & Metalloids

Investigate three unknowns

Use physical and chemical evidence to decide which sample is a metal, a nonmetal, and a metalloid.

  1. Appearance. Select an unknown and move the light across its surface. Look for color and metallic luster.
  2. Malleability. Press the sample with the porcelain pestle. Does it flatten or break into fragments?
  3. Conductivity. Touch both probes directly to the solid. Compare the sensitive tester’s response for each unknown.
  4. Reaction with HCl. Pipette 3 mL of 0.65 M HCl into the tube, add a fresh solid, and observe for five simulated minutes. Look for gas, color or temperature changes, and a new precipitate. Pour the mixture into the HCl Waste beaker when finished.

Each station uses a fresh portion. Switching unknowns clears the current test; finish and dispose of acid mixtures before switching. No observations are saved.

The clock runs at 20× speed. These are illustrative material responses, not measured kinetics. In a real lab, wear goggles and follow your teacher’s chemical-handling directions. No single test classifies every element.

Appearance

UNKNOWN A
WATCH GLASS / INSPECTION LIGHTVIRTUAL LAB BENCH
Appearance station, Unknown AA solid on a glass dish under a moveable inspection light. BOROSILICATE WATCH GLASS
READY TO INSPECTFRESH PORTION

Sweep the light across the surface and look for a reflection.

AT THE BENCH

About this simulation

Based on the Unit 1 Metals, Nonmetals and Metalloids lab: appearance, a mortar-and-pestle test, direct solid conductivity, and reaction with 0.65 M HCl. Use a pattern of evidence to classify an element. A shiny solid is not always a metal, and not every metal reacts visibly with dilute acid.

Material responses and the sensitive tester are qualitative models at room temperature. Sample purity, surface oxides, doping, contact geometry, and pressure can change real observations. The five-minute reaction is accelerated; glassware and solid sizes are enlarged for visibility. A simulated temperature indicator helps show warming. Original solids are not new precipitates.

About this activity

Test three unknown solids for luster, malleability, conductivity and reaction with acid. Use the results to classify each one as a metal, nonmetal or metalloid.

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