Metals: Metals are the elements which lose electrons to form cations and are electropositive in nature. For example, Sodium, potassium, Iron, Zinc and Calcium are metals. Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity. Metals are highly malleable and ductile.

Copper, Aluminium, Mercury and sodium are metals.

Nonmetals: Nonmetals are the elements that gain electrons and form negative ions. They are also called electronegative elements. For example, chlorine, sulphur, oxygen, bromine, phosphorus and nitrogen are nonmetals. Nonmetals are not malleable and ductile but they are brittle. Nonmetals are bad conductors of heat and electricity. They have low melting and boiling points and are soft.

Sulphur, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Chlorine are nonmetals.

Metalloids: The elements whose properties are intermediate between the properties of metals and nonmetals are called Metalloids. For example, Boron, Silicon and Germanium are metalloids. Heat and electricity can pass through metalloids but not as easily as in metals. Metalloids are also called semiconductors.

Silicon and Germanium are metalloids.