Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids Worksheet

abstract detail of round metal machinery
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by Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
Updated December 10, 2019

This worksheet can be used to test students by having them identify elements as metals, nonmetals, or metalloids. It also has a section to list the physical characteristics of each type of element.​ The worksheet is available as a free download in ​PDF format.

Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids Worksheet

Worksheet for identifying metals, nonmetals, metalloids and their properties.
Worksheet for identifying metals, nonmetals, metalloids and their properties. Todd Helmenstine

Worksheet Answers

  • Copper - metal
  • Oxygen - nonmetal
  • Boron - metalloid
  • Potassium - metal
  • Silicon - metalloid
  • Helium - nonmetal
  • Aluminum - metal
  • Hydrogen - nonmetal
  • Calcium - metal
  • Polonium - metalloid

Physical Properties: Possible Answers

Metals:

  • Shiny
  • Solid at room temperature (except for mercury)
  • Malleable
  • Ductile
  • High melting points
  • High densities
  • Large atomic radii
  • Low ionization energies
  • Low electronegativities
  • Good electrical conductors
  • Good thermal conductors

Nonmetals:

  • Dull non-lustrous appearance
  • Poor electrical conductors
  • Poor thermal conductors
  • Nonductile
  • Brittle solid form

Metalloids:

  • Electronegativities between metals and nonmetals
  • Ionization energies between metals and nonmetals
  • Reactivity depends on other elements involved in the reactions
  • Intermediate electrical conductivity (used in semiconductors)
  • Sometimes have characteristics of both metals and nonmetals