Metals, Non-metals, Metalloids

Metals fill the left and middle of the table: shiny, bendable, good conductors. Their atoms lose their few outer electrons to form positive ions, like Na⁺.

Metals on the left, non-metals on the right, metalloids on the staircase

Non-metals sit at the top right, plus hydrogen: many are gases, and the solids are dull, brittle and do not conduct. Their atoms tend to gain electrons.

Metalloids lie along the staircase between them: B, Si, Ge, As, Sb and Te. Silicon is shiny but brittle and conducts a little, perfect for computer chips.