Forming compounds

My friends and I did an experiment to investigate the formation of compounds by reacting two elements, reacting an element and a compound and reacting two compounds. The experiment needs magnesium ribbon, iron filings, dilute sulfuric acid, lead (II) nitrate solution, sodium chloride, test –tube, Bunsen burner, evaporating dish, test-tube holder and a pair of tongs.
Reacting two elements
1. Hold a magnesium ribbon with a pair of tongs. Place it in the Bunsen flame. When the magnesium ribbon catches fire, hold the pair of tongs above the evaporating dish to collect the ashes formed. The magnesium ribbon burned with a bright white light.
2. The ash is white in colour.
3. A new substance has formed because the physical appearance has changed from silvery grey to white in colour and heat is also involved in this reaction.
4. Oxygen has combined with magnesium to form a compound.
5. Magnesium + oxygen = magnesium oxide
Reacting an element with a compound
1. Place half a spatula of iron filings in a test-tube.
2. Add dilute sulfuric acid to a depth of about 2 cm. Effervescence of colourless, odourless gas is seen.
3. A new substance has formed because the test-tube felt warm indicating that heat has been released and the colour of the substance also changed to light grey.
4. Iron + Sulfuric acid = iron sulfate + hydrogen gas
Reacting two compounds
1. Place sodium chloride solution in a test-tube to a depth of about 2 cm.
2. Using a dropper, add lead (II) nitrate solution slowly to the test-tube. White precipitate can be seen.
3. Sodium chloride + lead (II) nitrate = sodium nitrate + lead (II) chloride

Metals have high boiling and melting point where as non-metals have low boiling and melting point. Metals form oxides that are basic while non-metal form oxides that are acidic. Metals are solid at room temperature while non-metal are solids, liquids or gases at room temperature.