metals
While many elements differ dramatically in their chemical and physical properties, some elements have similar properties. We can identify sets of elements that exhibit common behaviors. For example, many elements conduct heat and electricity well, whereas others are poor conductors. These properties can be used to sort the elements into three classes: metals elements that conduct well , nonmetals elements that conduct poorly , and metalloids elements that have properties of both metals and nonmetals . The periodic table is a table of elements that places elements with similar properties close together Figure 1.22 . You will learn more about the periodic table as you continue your study of chemistry.