One of the key differences is that of the waysin which electrons are utilized. Metals form ionic solids, as well as metallic solids. This has todo with the hold that metals have on their electrons. This hold is quite weak, ranging from no desire to hold them, as observed in the large number of ionic solids, to a low affinity as observed in metallic solids, such as copper wire, tin sheets, and iron bars. Nonmetals have a desire for electrons, ranging from quite strong, as observed in ionic solids, to moderately weak, as observed in countless molecular and covalent solids, such as sucrose, napthalene, and diamond. This difference in types of solids revolves around the electron conduction among the atoms/ions of the solids. This conduction is highest in metallic substances and lowest in nonmetallic substances.
