Anand Classes Notes of Metals, non-metals, and metalloids are distributed in the periodic table according to their electronic configuration and chemical properties. Metals occupy the left and central portions of the table, non-metals are located on the right side, and metalloids lie along the zig-zag line separating the two. Understanding their position helps explain periodic trends such as metallic and non-metallic character, reactivity, and the types of oxides they form — an important topic in Class 11 Chemistry, JEE, and NEET.

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📘 Position of Metals and Non-Metals in the Periodic Table

1️⃣ General Arrangement in the Periodic Table

• The modern periodic table is arranged in 18 groups (vertical columns) and 7 periods (horizontal rows) according to increasing atomic number.
• Metals, non-metals, and metalloids are distributed across the table based on their electronic configuration and properties.

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2️⃣ Metals in the Periodic Table

Position:

• Located on the left and center of the periodic table.
• Found in:
  • s-block (Groups 1 & 2) → Alkali metals, Alkaline earth metals.
  • d-block (Groups 3–12) → Transition metals.
  • Lower part of p-block → Post-transition metals (e.g., Al, Ga, In, Sn, Tl, Pb, Bi).
  • f-block → Lanthanides & Actinides (all metallic).

Characteristics of Metals:

• Good conductors of heat & electricity.
• Malleable, ductile, and lustrous.
• Tend to lose electrons → form cations.
• Oxides are mostly basic in nature.

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3️⃣ Non-Metals in the Periodic Table

Position:

• Located on the right side of the periodic table (except Hydrogen).
• Found mainly in upper part of p-block (Groups 14–18).
• Examples: C, N, O, F, P, S, Cl, Se, Br, I, noble gases.
• Hydrogen → in Group 1 but behaves like a non-metal.

Characteristics of Non-Metals:

• Poor conductors of heat & electricity (except graphite).
• Brittle in solid form.
• Tend to gain electrons → form anions.
• Oxides are mostly acidic in nature.

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4️⃣ Metalloids

Position:

• Located along the zigzag line (stair-step) dividing metals and non-metals.
• Common metalloids: B, Si, Ge, As, Sb, Te, Po.

Characteristics of Metalloids:

• Exhibit properties of both metals and non-metals.
• Electrical conductivity is intermediate (semiconductors).

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5️⃣ The Zig-Zag Line in Periodic Table

• Separates metals (left/below) from non-metals (right/above).
• Elements along the line are metalloids.
• Starts from Boron (B) in Group 13 and runs diagonally to Astatine (At) in Group 17.

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6️⃣ Trends Across a Period

• Metallic character decreases from left to right.
• Non-metallic character increases from left to right.
• Reason: Increasing nuclear charge → greater tendency to gain electrons.

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7️⃣ Trends Down a Group

• Metallic character increases down a group (due to increasing atomic size and easier loss of electrons).
• Non-metallic character decreases down a group.

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8️⃣ Summary Table: Position of Metals & Non-Metals

Category	Position	Example Groups	Examples
Metals	Left & center	s-block, d-block, lower p-block	Na, Ca, Fe, Cu, Al, Sn
Non-Metals	Right side	Upper p-block	O, N, Cl, Ne, Br
Metalloids	Zig-zag line	p-block	B, Si, As, Te

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9️⃣ Exam-Oriented Key Points

• Hydrogen → Group 1, non-metal, unique behaviour.
• Noble gases → Group 18, chemically inert non-metals.
• Transition metals → Groups 3–12, d-block.
• Inner transition metals → f-block (lanthanides & actinides).
• Diagonal relationship → Li–Mg, Be–Al (metals with similar properties to non-metals diagonally placed).

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FAQs on Position of Metals and Non-Metals in the Periodic Table

Q1. Where are metals located in the periodic table?

Answer: Metals are located on the left and center of the periodic table, covering s-block, d-block, lower p-block, and all of the f-block.

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Q2. Where are non-metals located in the periodic table?

Answer: Non-metals are located on the right side of the periodic table, mainly in the upper p-block (Groups 14–18), plus hydrogen in Group 1.

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Q3. What is the zig-zag line in the periodic table?

Answer: The zig-zag (stair-step) line separates metals on the left from non-metals on the right. Elements along this line are metalloids.

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Q4. Which elements are metalloids?

Answer:
Common metalloids include Boron (B), Silicon (Si), Germanium (Ge), Arsenic (As), Antimony (Sb), Tellurium (Te), and sometimes Polonium (Po).

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Q5. How does metallic character change across a period?

Answer: From left to right, metallic character decreases and non-metallic character increases due to increasing nuclear charge.

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Q6. How does metallic character change down a group?

Answer:
From top to bottom, metallic character increases due to increasing atomic size and easier loss of electrons.

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