ElementSubstance composed of atoms, each of which has the same atomic number (Z) and chemical properties. The chemical properties of an element are determined by the arrangement of the electrons in the various shells (specified by their quantum number) that surround the nucleus. In a neutral atom, the number of Click on Term to Read More that readily forms cations and has metallic bonds; sometimes said to be similar to a cationPositively charged ion. Click on Term to Read More in a cloud of electrons. The metals are one of the three groups of elements as distinguished by their ionizationProcess whereby atoms lose one or more electrons to become cations. Ionization occurs by ionizing radiation or if an atom suffers a sufficiently violent collision. The “ionization potential” is the minimum amount of energy needed to remove an electron to infinity from the ground state. If the electron has already Click on Term to Read More and bonding properties, along with the metalloids and nonmetals. A diagonal line drawn from B to Po separates the metals from the nonmetals. Elements on this line are metalloids, sometimes called semi-metals; elements to the lower left are metals; elements to the upper right are nonmetals. Nonmetals are more abundant in nature than metals, but metals make up most of the periodic table. Astronomers refer to all elements heavier than He as “metals” even though these elements are not all metals as defined by cosmochemists.
Some or all content above used with permission from J. H. Wittke.