| Metal | Non-metal |
| Metals are electropositive. | Non-metals are electronegative. |
| They react with oxygen to form basic oxides. $4Na + O_2 \longrightarrow 2Na_2O$. These typically form ionic bonds. | They react with oxygen to form acidic or neutral oxides. $C + O_2 \longrightarrow CO_2$. These typically form covalent bonds. |
| They react with water to form oxides or hydroxides and hydrogen gas. $2Na + 2H_2O \longrightarrow 2NaOH + H_2 \uparrow$. | They generally do not react with water. |
| They react with dilute acids to form salt and hydrogen gas. $2Na + 2HCl \longrightarrow 2NaCl + H_2 \uparrow$. | They do not react with dilute acids as they cannot displace hydrogen. |
| They act as reducing agents because they easily lose electrons. $Na \longrightarrow Na^+ + e^-$. | They act as oxidizing agents because they gain electrons. $Cl_2 + 2e^- \longrightarrow 2Cl^-$. |
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