Chemistry Yearly Exam Question

[ch3ntastic]

In our chemistry yearly exam today, there was a MC question about "Which of the following is NOT a way of identifying a metal/semi-metal/non-metal?"

The choices were: A(colour), B(electrical conductivity), C(malleablility), and D(ductility).

Most of our grade believed that it was either malleability or ductility, but some argued that it was colour because luster and dullness aren't colours.

What would you have picked in this question?

[conic curve]

In our chemistry yearly exam today, there was a MC question about "Which of the following is NOT a way of identifying a metal/semi-metal/non-metal?"

The choices were: A(colour), B(electrical conductivity), C(malleablility), and D(ductility).

Most of our grade believed that it was either malleability or ductility, but some argued that it was colour because luster and dullness aren't colours.

What would you have picked in this question?

I think it would've been B

[RuiAce]

In our chemistry yearly exam today, there was a MC question about "Which of the following is NOT a way of identifying a metal/semi-metal/non-metal?"

The choices were: A(colour), B(electrical conductivity), C(malleablility), and D(ductility).

Most of our grade believed that it was either malleability or ductility, but some argued that it was colour because luster and dullness aren't colours.

What would you have picked in this question?

Colour does not tell you anything. You can have copper and phosphorus that are both red.

Electrical conductivity is perhaps the easiest way to determine the difference. The more metallic it is, the more electrically conductive it is

Malleability and ductility aren't as favourable as conductivity. However take as an example for malleability, if you hit copper with a hammer nothing might happen as opposed to hitting sulfur with it.


Had colour been labelled as lustre, there may be reconsideration required

[wesadora]

A - Colour.

Rui's explanation is good^
...The only aspect in HSC chem colour becomes more significant is probably only when determining pH with indicators. Other then that in chem...meh

[conic curve]

Oh whoops, I read the question wrong

Yeah it was colour

So sorry for misleading everyone here 

[jakesilove]

In our chemistry yearly exam today, there was a MC question about "Which of the following is NOT a way of identifying a metal/semi-metal/non-metal?"

The choices were: A(colour), B(electrical conductivity), C(malleablility), and D(ductility).

Most of our grade believed that it was either malleability or ductility, but some argued that it was colour because luster and dullness aren't colours.

What would you have picked in this question?

If you're ever not sure with a multi like this, just think to yourself what have I actually studied?. At no point have you ever looked at the COLOUR of a material affecting its properties; so, they can't require you to know that it IS an indicator.