• Metals are lustrous whereas non-metals have no lustre.
• Generally, metals are malleable and ductile. Non-metals do not have these properties.
• Generally, metals are good conductors of heat and electricity but non-metals are poor conductors
• On burning, metals react with oxygen to produce metal oxides which are basic in nature. Non-metals react with oxygen to produce non- metallic oxides which are acidic in nature.
• Some metals react with water to produce metal hydroxides and hydrogen gas. Generally, non- metals do not react with water.
• Metals react with acids and produce metal salts and hydrogen gas. Generally, non-metals do not react with acids.
• Some metals react with bases to produce hydrogen gas.
• More reactive metals displace less reactive metals from their compounds in aqueous solutions.
• Metals and non-metals are used widely in every day life.