You are given a hammer, a battery, a bulb, wires and a switch.
(a) How could you use them to distinguish between samples of metals and non-metals?
(b) Assess the usefulness of these tests in distinguishing between metals and non – metals.

Explanation

(i) We use the hammer to break the sample. If the sample breaks, this means that it it brittle and hence it is a non metal. On the other hand if the sample flattens to form a sheet, this means than the sample is malleable and hence is metal.
(ii) We set up the electric circuit and place the sample is between clips A and B and put the switch on. IF the bulb glows, the sample is a good conductor of electricity and hence it must be a metal . If on the other hand, the bulb does not glow, the sample is a poor conductor of electricity and hence it must be a non metal.
(ii)Because of malleability of iron and many other metals, we can cast them into sheets, which can be used for various purposes . For example, iron sheets are used for roofing and for making trunks, boxes etc.
Metals are good conductors of electricity. It is because of this property that metal wires made up of copper and aluminium are used for carrying electricity.
These tests of distinguishing metals and non metals are widely applicable in industries and its validity has been scientifically proved.