Elements are classified into two basic categories, metals and non-metals.
Before giving the definition of metal and non-metal, we must know some important terms:
(i) Malleability: Ability of an element due to which it can be beaten with hammer into thin sheets.
(ii) Ductility: Ability of an element due to which it can be drawn into wires.
(iii) Sonorous: Property of an element to produce sound when it is struck with a hard substance.
(iv) Brittleness: Property of an element to break easily into pieces on hammering or stretching.