Give examples of three common metals and three common non-metals. Explain the key differences in their properties

Three common metals include:

1. Iron (Fe): Iron is a lustrous, ductile, malleable metal that is also magnetic. It is used in a wide variety of applications due to its strength and abundance.

2. Copper (Cu): Copper is a reddish metal that is highly conductive, malleable, and ductile. It is commonly used in electrical wiring and plumbing.

3. Aluminum (Al): Aluminum is a silvery-white, lightweight, ductile metal. It is resistant to corrosion and is used in a wide variety of applications, including packaging, transportation, and construction.

Three common non-metals include:

1. Oxygen (O): Oxygen is a colorless, odorless gas that is essential for most forms of life. It is highly reactive and forms compounds with almost all other elements.

2. Carbon (C): Carbon is a non-metal that can exist in several different forms, including diamond and graphite. It is a key component of all known life on Earth.

3. Nitrogen (N): Nitrogen is a colorless, odorless gas that makes up about 78% of the Earth's atmosphere. It is used in a variety of applications, including the production of ammonia and the creation of a non-reactive atmosphere for certain industrial processes.

Key differences in their properties:

Metals are generally shiny, good conductors of heat and electricity, malleable (they can be shaped), and ductile (they can be drawn into thin wires). They also tend to have high melting and boiling points.

Non-metals, on the other hand, are usually poor conductors of heat and electricity, and they are not malleable or ductile. Many non-metals are gases at room temperature, and those that are solid (like carbon) do not have the luster that metals do. Non-metals generally have lower melting and boiling points than metals.