State three reasons for the following facts:
a. Sulphur is a non metal.
b. Magnesium is a metal.

Explanation

a. Sulphur is a non metal.
(i) It is a poor conductor of heat and electricity.
(ii) It is neither malleable nor ductile.
(iii) `S+O_(2)toSo_(2)`
`SO_(2)+H_(2)OtoH_(2)SO_(3)`
Sulphur dioxide is an acidic oxide.
b. Magnesium is a metal:
(i) It is a good conductor of heat and electricity
(ii) It is malleable and ductile
(iii) `2Mg+O_(2)to2MgO`
`MgO+H_(2)OtoMg(OH)_(2)` (Magnesium hydroxide)
Magnesium oxide is a basic oxide.