Name: ________________________

Metal, Nonmetal, or Metalloid Lab

Introduction:
Elements have unique physical and chemical properties that make them useful in
our everyday lives. Aluminum, for example, is lightweight yet strong: modern air travel
would be impossible without this important metal that is used to make jet engines and
aircraft bodies. Chlorine combined chemically with many other elements and
compounds and is a powerful disinfectant. The availability of safe drinking water all
over the world depends on this reactive nonmetal. Silicon had increased the speed and
the power of modern electronics and has transformed society.

Physical properties are properties that can be observed without changing the
identity of the substance. Examples include color, order, density, and physical state.
Chemical properties describe the ability of a substance to undergo changes when a
chemical property is observed. Flammability, the ability to form compounds, and the
susceptibility to corrosion are examples of chemical properties.

Purpose:
In this activity you will investigate properties of five elements in order to classify
them as metals, nonmetals, or metalloids. You will examine each for its physical
properties of color, luster, and form (for example, is it crystalline, like table salt?).
Luster is a measure of how shinny or reflective something is. By attempting to crush
each sample, you will decide whether each element is malleable or brittle. Malleable
elements bend or dent, while others easily crush to pieces. You may also test for the
physical property of electrical conductivity. Next, you will observe differences among
these elements chemical properties. You will find out whether each element reacts with
hydrochloric acid, HCl (aq), and with a copper (II) chloride (CuCl2) solution.

SAFETY:
Safety goggles must be worn at all times. Use a scoopula or tweezers to handle
when possible. Use caution if picking up the samples. Edges may be sharp! Use caution
when applying the hydrochloric acid (HCl)! HCl will burn your skin if it touches you. In
the event that HCl spills on you, rinse the area with water for 5 minutes and inform your
instructor.

Materials:
Physical Properties Lab Chemical Properties Lab
- Carbon (charcoal) - 5 chemicals used in the Physical Properties Lab
- Magnesium ribbon - Paper towels
- Sulfur powder - Spot Plate
- Tin Shot - 5 test tubes
- Zinc shot or foil - Test tube rack
- Conductivity tester - Wash bottle
- Spot Plate - Hydrochloric acid, HCl 1M
- Mortar and pestle - Copper (II) chloride CuCl2, 0.1M
- Pen - Pipets (2)
- Scoopula and tweezers - Spoon
 Name: ________________________
Procedure:
1. Before beginning, answer all pre-lab questions and form a hypothesis on your lab sheet.

2. Obtain a spot plate and number 6 wells with the

1. C 2. Mg 3. S
number 1-8 as show in the diagram: Each number
represents one of the elements; C, Mg, S, Sn, Zn.
4. Sn 5. Zn
Reference the diagram as needed to know what is
what.

3. Label five test tubes with the element symbols or number and place the test tubes in the
test tube rack.
4. Using a scoopula or tweezers to handle the elements, place a small amount (1 small
piece, a few crystals, or a 2 small metal shots) of each element in the appropriate place
in the spot plate.

LAB #1
Testing Physical Properties
5. One at a time, use a small amount of the elements in the spot plate and test the
properties in steps 6-8. You may touch everything but sulfur (S) with your hands. Do not
touch sulfur, just observe. You may smell all elements. Be very careful not to mix up the
elements.
6. Observe and record the physical appearance of each element on the data table. Be
specific; describe color, luster, and form (crystalline, flakes, smooth, etc) of each
element.
7. Test conductivity of each element by touching the wand of the conductivity tester
directly to the piece of the solid in the spot plate. If electricity can flow through the
metal (numbers on the tester change), the element is considered a conductor. If there is
no change, the element is a nonconductor. Follow your instructors directions for how
the conductivity tester works. Record results. **come back to this one if someone is at
this station.
8. Test the malleability of each element. Transfer a piece of the element from the spot
plate into the mortar and pestle. Gently hit the piece of element with the pestle once or
twice.
a. A material is brittle if it shatters or cracks into small pieces when struck.
b. A material is malleable if it flattens or bends without shattering (or does not
shatter).
**Do NOT test sulfur, but make a hypothesis based on its appearance.
**Do NOT smash any elements into tiny pieces. You only need to strike it once or
twice to test it and leave pieces for others to test. Record all results in the data table.
 Name: ________________________
LAB #2
Testing Chemical Properties
9. Use a scoopula or tweezers to place one small piece (or a few crystals) of each element
from the spot plate into the appropriately labeled test tube.
10. Test the reactivity of each element in the test tubes with hydrochloric acid,
HCl. Add 4-6 drops of 1M HCl to each test tube. Observe the mixture for 1-2 minutes for
any signs of possible reaction and record results. (bubble, color change, temperature
change, rust, etc) You may gently swirl the test tube if needed.
11. Pour the liquid form the test tube into the labeled liquid waste beaker provided by the
instructor. Do NOT pour and solids directly down the drain! Do NOT pour the element
into the liquid waste beaker.
a. For sulfur and carbon, you can dump it all in the liquid waste and rinse out the
test tube.
b. For all other metals, dump them in the solid waste beakers.
12. Thoroughly rinse each test tube in the sink, then rinse with distilled water from the
wash bottle.
13. Use a scoopula or forceps to place one small piece (or a few crystals) or each element
from the spot plate into the appropriately labeled test tube.

14. Test the reactivity of the element with copper(II) chloride: Add 4-6 drops
(about 0.5mL) of 0.1M CuCl to each test tube. Observe the mixture for 1-2 minutes for
any signs of possible chemical reaction and record all observations. Use similar
techniques for Al and Fe as in step 10.
15. Pour the liquid from the test tube into the liquid waste beaker provided by the
instructor. Do NOT pour and solids directly down the drain! Do NOT pour the element
into the beaker.
a. For sulfur and carbon, you can dump it all in the liquid waste and rinse out the
test tube.
b. For all other metals, dump them in the solid waste beakers.
16. Thoroughly rinse each test tube in the sink, then rinse with distilled water from the
wash bottle. Place the test tubes upside down in the test tube rack to dry.
17. Any unused elements from the spot plate may be put back in the original container (only
if not contaminated!)
18. Clean up your area, wipe up any extra water, clean the spot plate and scoopulas and
throw away any trash and continue to analysis questions. Wear goggles throughout the
lab and do not remove them until you are told you can by your instructor or you will lose
points on the lab!

19. Complete the Analysis Questions and Conclusion.

20. Hand your lab sheets in (dont forget your name!!!)
 Name: ________________________

Lab Sheet
Complete all questions on a separate piece of looseleaf. You may fill the
Data/Observations chart in on this page. Make sure you label each set of questions on your
looseleaf (eg. Pre-Lab Questions, Hypothesis, etc.)

Pre-Lab Questions
You must complete and show your teacher the pre-lab questions and hypothesis before doing
the experiment.

1. What happens if hydrochloric acid contacts the skin or eyes? How can you protect against
this hazard? (2 marks)

2. Using a periodic table, determine the chemical symbol for each of the five elements you will
use for this experiment. Write the symbol for each element under its name in the data table.
(5 marks)

3. List 3 physical properties. (3 marks)

4. List 2 chemical properties. (2 marks)

5. What are 3 signs that a chemical reaction is taking place? (3 marks)

Hypothesis (predict which elements will be metals and non-metals) (1 mark)

Data/Observations (found on the back of this page) (4 marks Im looking for detail.
Sometimes you dont end up with the results that you should.)
 Name: ________________________

Reaction with Reaction with

Element Name Appearance Malleability Conductivity
HCl (describe) CuCl2 (describe)

Carbon

Magnesium

Sulfur

Tin

Zinc
 Name: ________________________
Analysis Questions
1. Classify each description as metal, nonmetal or metalloid: (1 mark each)
a. have a luster, are malleable, and conduct electricity
b. have some properties common to both metals and nonmetals
c. dull in appearance, brittle, and do not conduct electricity
d. do not react with acids or with copper (II) chloride solution
e. many do react with acids or with copper (II) chloride solution

2. Classify each element as metal, nonmetal or metalloid:

a. Carbon
b. Magnesium
c. Sulfur
d. Tin
e. Zinc

3. What criteria did you use to determine if elements are metal or non-metals. Write down
the list of criteria for both. (2 marks)

4. Are there any borderline elements, that is, do any of them appear to fit into either
group, based on certain similarities? Explain. (1 mark)

Conclusion
Write a 4-6 sentence conclusion. Include:
What was your hypothesis and was it correct?
What you learned about the topic.
Sources of error and unusual results?