The differences between these two categories can be determined by discussing the chemical and physical properties of each type. Metals have observable physical properties such as their shininess or luster , or their conductivity of heat and electricity. Most metals are ductile, that is, they can be drawn into wire. They are also malleable, which means they can be drawn into wire. The chemical properties of metals are much harder to observe because they result from the way electrons are arranged in the atom.
Metals have one, two, or three electrons in their outermost shell.
Since metals lose electrons, they will react with water or other elements. A chemical reaction which results in the wearing away of the metal to change it into a metallic compound, is called corrosion . A rusting nail or tarnishing silver are examples of corrosion. Nonmetals also have some observable physical properties. The chemical properties of nonmetals result from the fact that they have five, six, or seven electrons in their outermost shell.