Construction inflation. Building costs throughout 2011 rose steadily and although theyâre expected to stabilise during 2012 inflationary pressures are nevertheless set to remain as labour wage strains and competitive labour forces continue to affect input costs.
Physical Properties. Metals differ so widely in hardness, ductility (the potentiality of being drawn into wire), malleability, tensile strength, density, and melting point that a definite line of distinction between them and the nonmetals cannot be drawn. The hardest elemental metal is chromium; the softest, cesium.
Metals typically have the following physical properties: a lustrous appearance, the ability to change shape without breaking, and excellent conductivity of heat and electricity. Nonmetals typically do not have these physical properties, although there are some exceptions. However it is the chemical difference that really counts. Metals tend to lose electrons to form positive ions, and nonmetals tend to gain electrons to form negative ions. 15 people found this useful.