Designing and Integrating Information System

Designing and Integrating Information System 1. INTRODUCTION As computer technology changes at fast pace, many businesses sectors also upgrade their computer system constantly in order to stay competitive. For such, the function has become indispensable asset of the companies that process enormous amount of data and complex transactions. Payroll is an example of a complex transaction a company has. Its preparation is crucial since it involves accounts and requires confidentiality. The use of an integrated information system will facilitate the accomplishment of jobs easier, faster and more efficiently. According to Kanchov (2006), application program is the bridge between the users and the database, where data are stored. Thus, a well-developed application program and database ensure the reliability, flexibility, and functionality of an information system. Information technology use aims at increasing the efficiency and reliability of management and monitoring of records. Steven M. Bragg (2006) says that in payroll system the timekeeping function is coming under increasing attack, as cost accountants realize that the cost of administering a detailed timekeeping system is exceeding the value of the result information. This issue can be resolved either by reducing the level of timekeeping effort until the effort expanded equals the utility of the resulting information (which may result in the complete elimination of the timekeeping function) or by more fully automating the timekeeping and payroll functions, so that the cost of the system administration is reduced to the point where it is once again a cost-effective means of tracking labor activities. According to Chowdury (2008), Inventory System is known to be used by many financial institutions. PIM (Perpetual Inventory Method) system maintains an up-to-date record of accurate level of goods at hands by ensuring that stocks are accounted for at all times. The process includes details of all recording purchase and sales receipts and issues and running balances of all stocks. In line with this, the researchers proposed for Balaod Mindanaw Incorporated a LAN Base system for a fully secured and reliable data, easy maintenance, and quicker data retrieval. Balaod Mindanaw Incorporated has decided to automate its transactions. BALAOD-Mindanaw traces its beginnings to Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc. (BMFI) legal program as implemented by the LARGE (Legal Assistance for Agrarian Reform, Governance and Empowerment) Unit. BALAOD Mindanaw is a non-stock, non-profit organization that aims to help in the advancement of the legal and justice issues of different marginalized sectors and communities in Mindanao in the context of active peoples participation in governance. BALAOD sets forth in following organizational goals to promote paralegal formation and provide other legal services to marginalized sectors and communities in Mindanao; to conduct capability-building interventions on local legislation and dispute resolution; to provide a venue for networking and alter native legal assistance for law practitioners, law schools and law students in Mindanao; and to facilitate the creation of a favorable policy environment responsive to the needs of marginalized sectors and communities in Mindanao. 2. FRAMEWORK This study designed and developed an integrated information system to facilitate better operations of the organization. The researchers used the Practical Approach to Payroll Administration and Shared Services Approach. Practical Approach will create an awareness of statutory laws (eg. Employment Act, CPF Act, SDF Act, Income Taxt Act, and others) and give the overview of the components of a computerized payroll system. Also the approach will help develop an understanding of compensation components and the latest trends affecting payroll administration ( Subbu and Daofen, 2006). Shared Services Approach is an operational philosophy that involves centralizing administrative functions that were once performed in divisions or locations. Services that can be shared among the various business units of a company include finance, purchasing, inventory, and payroll (Sherman, 2008). Figure 1 illustrates the context diagram of developed Integrated Information System for Balaod Mindanaw, Inc. It shows the system relationship for the four entities: the Finance Officer, Employee, Librarian, and the Supply Officer. The system will automatically calculate the number of work hours of every employee and the deduction for every employees absence and under time. The system will send the information to other entities, applying the shared service approach by which information like employee information, books available in the library, and budget and inventory of every department are circulated. 3. Objective of the Study 3.1 General Objective of the study This study aimed at designing and developing an Integrated Information System for Balaod Mindanaw, Inc. The system is intended to minimize the effort of the user in the processing of payroll slip, payroll form, library slip, library form and in the monitoring of supplies. Also, the system is intended to create a well-arranged database to implement strong data security system. 3.2 Specific Objectives of the study The study sought to accomplish the following specific objectives: 3.2.1. To access the present payroll system of Balaod Mindanaw, Inc. 3.2.2. To profile the respondents in terms of age, gender, civil status, birth date, birth place, province, home address, current home address, family information, and education. 3.2.3. To identify the underlying problems of the present system involving the processes on payroll, library, inventory and the monitoring of supplies. 3.2.4. To determine the accuracy and effectiveness of the present system and the possible benefits of the proposed information system. 4. Statement of the Problem The study specifically sought to address the following problems of Balaod Mindanaw Inc: 4.1. The HR uses only papers to record employee information. Such system slows down the retrieval of data. 4.2. The file can easily be damaged and lost. 4.3. Double checking the consistency of supply records is time-consuming. 4.4. Financial computations are time-consuming and prone to mathematical errors that may cause financial or legal trouble. 5. Scope and Limitation The proposed system covers the process of budget monitoring for every department, requisition of equipment and books in the library, inventory of supplies, and monitoring of expenses of every department. The proposed payroll system covers the keeping of Daily Time Record for computing the exact wages of each employee. The system can do the following: 5.1. Compute monthly net income, deductions, and loans such as SSS, Philhealth, COLA, Emergency loans, PAG IBIG, and withholding tax. 5.2. Calculate budget allocation plus expenses of every department 5.3. Add book borrows records 5.4. Add employee information 5.5. Add employees login and logout records 6. Significance of the Study The proposed system will benefit the following entities: The Manager. The system will provide the manager with reliable and accurate reports concerning the companys budget and equipment use. The Supply Officer. The system will help the supply officer conduct an inventory of the supplies to generate reliable reports for referencing. The Finance Department. The system will help the finance department monitor all the expenses of every department and conduct liquidation anytime. Also, the department can process the payroll faster and accurately. The Company. The system will give the company the advantage over other companies that still use the traditional way of running the operations. Also, it will help the company increase its performance to satisfy its clients. The Future Researchers. The findings of the study will serve as basis for developing related system for other companies or establishments. 7. Output The output of the study is the Integrated Information System for Balaod Mindanaw, Incorporated. A complete Program Structure, Database Specifications and Design, and System User Manual go with the software. All program source codes are also fully documented and compiled. 8. Research Methodology The researchers used the simplified water fall model, which illustrates the sequential software development process in which progress is seen as flowing steadily downwards through the phases. Water fall development has distinct goals for each phase development from conceptualization through designing, implementation, testing, installation, troubleshooting, deployment of the system, and maintenance. 8.1. The Requirement Gathering and Analysis. The researchers surveyed literature and interviewed the user about the companys present system so that the system limitations could be identified and addressed 8.2. System Design.A system with applications addressing the present systems limitations was designed and developed. 8.3. Implementation. The developed system was applied given the permission of the company. 8.4. Testing.The developed system was subjected to interface testing, functionality testing, and front-end and back-end integration testing. 8.5. Deployment of the System.After a series of testing, the system was deployed to the working environment. 8.6. Maintenance. Lastly, it is very likely for the developed system to encounter system errors and unexpected bugs. Thus, the researchers will diagnose and resolve unknown issues. Further, the researchers will consider further enhancement of the database system. 8.1 CURRENT SYSTEM Narrative Description of the Current System First, every department submits a projected expense to the finance department or a proposed budget for the entire year, and then the finance department presents the projected expense of every department to the manager for approval. If the budget is approved, the finance department grants the approved budget to the department to be utilized within one year. If the budget is not approved, the finance department returns the projected expense to the department for adjustment or modification. Second, every department requests for supply to the supply officer. The supply officer asks the finance department for the budget. Then the budget for supply is submitted to the manager for approval. If the budget is approved, then the finance department gives the budget to the supply officer for the purchase of the requested supply. Then the purchased supply is given to the requesting department. 8.2 PROPOSED SYSTEM Narrative Description of the Proposed System The employee registers to indicate login and logout. The registration serves as reference for payroll. Every department sends its budget request through the system. The finance can view the budget request. The finance then presents the budget to the manager for approval. Once the requested budget is approved, the finance notifies the department as to the approval of the budget. The manager can view all transactions. For the supply requisition, the department sends the request to the supply officer. Then the supply officer forwards the request to the finance officer for the budget. Once the budget for the supply is approved by the finance officer, the supply officer canvasses and purchases the requested supply. The supply will then be delivered to the requesting department. The supply officer monitors the deliveries and declares the status of materials, and decides replacement of them. The finance department can add employees records and accounts and view the expenses of the entire de partment. The librarian handles all the book and journals. All book records are kept by a library staff. If the employee borrows a book, the librarian records the details of the book and the borrowers name. If the book is lost by the borrower, the librarian submits a note about the lost to the HR Department. 9.2 DATABASE STRUCTURE The system uses one database, which is the IISBalaodMindanao. It contains many tables and stores information such as employees record, daily time record, basic salary. And also, the system monitors the status of books in the library and other essential data. 9.3 Data Dictionary EmployeesProfile FamilyInfo WorkExperience WorkDescription Organization ImportantSeminar EducationalProfile Skills Talents Interest Logout Login Books BookDetails BookBarrowed DATA FIELD TYPE DATA TYPE

Dagoberto Gilb :: Essays Papers

Dagoberto Gilb Dagoberto Gilb was born in Los Angeles in 1950. A mix of gritty humor, mundane terror, and economic misfortune distinguishes his short stories. His life has been neither easy nor subdued, and these influences are reflected in his writing style and choice of subject matter. The short story entitled â€Å"Love in L.A.,† by Dagoberto Gilb, shows how one can see many reasons in seeing irony and even satire by the story’s title and how all is stories combine in someway. Dagoberto Gilb’s childhood was spent running wild in a bad part of Los Angeles. At the age of eighteen, Gilb decided to attend college, obtaining degrees in Philosophy and Religious studies. It was during this period that he began to keep personal notebooks. Following completions of a master’s degree, he became a journeyman carpenter from 1976 – 1991, which provided the flexibility to devote large blocks of time to writing. He is married to a woman named Rebeca, and has two children named Antonio and Ricardo. Gilb worked in the Department of English at the University of Texas in 1988, the University of Arizona in 1992, and the University of Wyoming in 1994 (â€Å"Dagoberto Gilb†) Literary magazines were not remotely interested in publishing Gilb’s stories, which focus primarily on the professional and personal struggles of working-class Mexican Americans. But his unapologetic stories about working-class Mexican Americans have made him a voice of his people (Reid130). Gilb’s short stories are set vividly in cites of the desert Southwest and usually feature a Hispanic protagonist who is good-hearted but often irresponsible and is forever one pink slip or automotive breakdown away from disaster (Reid130). Gilb was persuaded to submit some of the 750 pages of his unpublished stories to the National Endowment of the Arts, and, when he won a grant, it enabled him to take time to put together a collection of his work. That was The Magic of Blood, which was published in 1993 and won him a PEN Hemingway Award. The following year, recognition abounded in the form of prestigious literary awards and a flood of critical attention for The Magic of Blood (â€Å"The Magic of Blood†63-74) Gilb has earned many awards including the Institute of Letters Award for best book of fiction and best short story in 1993. In El Paso, he gave up on New York publishing and sold his story collection to the University of New Mexico Press. Dagoberto Gilb :: Essays Papers Dagoberto Gilb Dagoberto Gilb was born in Los Angeles in 1950. A mix of gritty humor, mundane terror, and economic misfortune distinguishes his short stories. His life has been neither easy nor subdued, and these influences are reflected in his writing style and choice of subject matter. The short story entitled â€Å"Love in L.A.,† by Dagoberto Gilb, shows how one can see many reasons in seeing irony and even satire by the story’s title and how all is stories combine in someway. Dagoberto Gilb’s childhood was spent running wild in a bad part of Los Angeles. At the age of eighteen, Gilb decided to attend college, obtaining degrees in Philosophy and Religious studies. It was during this period that he began to keep personal notebooks. Following completions of a master’s degree, he became a journeyman carpenter from 1976 – 1991, which provided the flexibility to devote large blocks of time to writing. He is married to a woman named Rebeca, and has two children named Antonio and Ricardo. Gilb worked in the Department of English at the University of Texas in 1988, the University of Arizona in 1992, and the University of Wyoming in 1994 (â€Å"Dagoberto Gilb†) Literary magazines were not remotely interested in publishing Gilb’s stories, which focus primarily on the professional and personal struggles of working-class Mexican Americans. But his unapologetic stories about working-class Mexican Americans have made him a voice of his people (Reid130). Gilb’s short stories are set vividly in cites of the desert Southwest and usually feature a Hispanic protagonist who is good-hearted but often irresponsible and is forever one pink slip or automotive breakdown away from disaster (Reid130). Gilb was persuaded to submit some of the 750 pages of his unpublished stories to the National Endowment of the Arts, and, when he won a grant, it enabled him to take time to put together a collection of his work. That was The Magic of Blood, which was published in 1993 and won him a PEN Hemingway Award. The following year, recognition abounded in the form of prestigious literary awards and a flood of critical attention for The Magic of Blood (â€Å"The Magic of Blood†63-74) Gilb has earned many awards including the Institute of Letters Award for best book of fiction and best short story in 1993. In El Paso, he gave up on New York publishing and sold his story collection to the University of New Mexico Press.

Membrane Permeability

The Neurophysiology of Nerve Impulses and Effects of Inhibitory Chemicals on their Action Potentials Aferdita Sabani Biol 2401. C5L Dr. Endley March 20, 2013 Introduction Cell structure and function can be defined in many aspects but one the most important characteristic is that it is enclosed within a cell membrane called a plasma membrane. The plasma membrane is by-layer composed of lipids and embedded proteins. This membrane is semi-permeable due to its hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions.At the boundary of every cell the plasma membrane functions as a selective barrier that allows nutrients to be brought in and/or removed from inside the cell. The cells permeability and transport mechanisms allow for this occurrence and it is vital for a functional and healthy cell. Transport through the plasma membrane occurs in two basic ways: passive and active processes. The passive transport process is driven by the concentration or pressure differences between the interior and exterior envi ronment of the cell.According to Kenyan college biology department, â€Å"Simple diffusion is when a small non-polar molecule passes through a lipid bilayer. It is classified as a means of passive transport. In simple diffusion, a hydrophobic molecule can move into the hydrophobic region of the membrane without getting rejected†. Particles diffuse passively through small pores within the plasma membrane and they also move from an environment of high concentration towards an environment with lower concentration. Osmosis is a type of diffusion when it comes to water transport.Both diffusion and osmoses move substances down their concentration gradient. Facilitated diffusion is also passive transport, but does not involve the simple movement through pores and lipid dissolving. In this case a carrier protein in the membrane is introduced to facilitate the transport of substances down their concentration gradient. Active transport is not passive because energy in the form of cellu lar ATP is required to drive the substances across the membrane, therefor the cell must spend some f its energy to get through or move against the concentration gradient. In one type of active transport the substance gets across the membrane by forming a substrate –enzyme complex where the substance is picked up by a carrier protein and are then able to move into cell. This combination is lipid and large so energy is needed to defy opposing forces. According to Pearson/biology, â€Å"Active transport uses energy to move a solute â€Å"uphill† against its gradient, whereas in facilitated diffusion, a solute moves down its concentration gradient and no energy input is required. If an experiment was conducted where the conditions of transfer were manipulated by adding in larger membrane pores, increasing protein carriers, increasing pressure and adding higher levels of ATP for active transport the rates of transfer will increase providing an optimal level of reactions. E xperimental Methods and Materials In conducting this experiment the materials needed were a computer the PhysioEX 8. 0 C D and the Anatomy and Physiology Lab Manual because this was a computer simulated experiment. Activity One: Simple DiffusionTwo beakers were placed next to each other and joined by a membrane holder. Four membranes were used and each possessed a different molecular weight cut off (MWCO) consisting of 20, 50, 100, and 200 MWCO; and were tested using NaCl, Urea, Albumin, and Glucose solutions. First, the 20 MWCO membrane was placed in the membrane holder between the beakers and the first solute studied was NaCl. A 9mM concentrated solution was dispersed into the left beaker and the right beaker was filled with deionized water. This transfer was allowed 60 minutes.At the end of this time lapse the results were recorded (see result section of the report). The 20 MWCO membrane was removed and each beaker was flushed for the next run. A membrane with the 50 MWCO was pla ced between the beakers and the steps performed above were repeated using the 9 mM NaCl solution for 60 min. and then repeated again for the 100 and 200 MWCO, as described by the A & P Lab Manual by Marieb and Mitchell. The next solutions tested were Albumin, Urea, and Glucose. All were placed into the left beaker independently and the tests were run exactly like that for NaCl.Activity Two: Facilitated Diffusion In this experiment the set-up of the two beakers and membrane holder was used again. Only NaCl and Glucose solutes were used and membranes with 500, 700 and 900 glucose carrier proteins The 500 membrane was placed between the beakers and the glucose solution with a concentration of 2. 00mM was delivered to the left beaker. The right beaker was filled with deionized water. The timer was set for 60 minutes. When the time was up the data was recorded and the beakers were flushed to set up for the next run.The same steps were repeated using the 2. 00 mM glucose solution with the 700 and 900 carrier protein membranes, separately for 60 minutes. The last run of this transport mechanism was done by increasing the 2. 00mM to 8. 00mM glucose concentration. This experiment was done the same way as above for each of the 500, 700 and 900 carrier protein membranes for 60 min. respectively. Activity 3: Osmotic Pressure In this experiment pressure readers were added in order measure osmotic pressure change and were placed on top the two beakers.A 20 MWCO membrane was placed between the beakers and a NaCl concentration of 8mM was put into the left beaker. Deionized water was placed into the right beaker. Time was set at 60 minutes. The pressure steps were repeated with the 50, 100 and 200 MWCO membranes Activity 4: Active Transport This experiment resembled the osmosis experiment except that an ATP dispenser was substituted for the pressure meters on top of the beakers. In this experiment it was assumed that the left beaker was the inside of the cell and the right bea ker was the extracellular space.The membrane used had 500 glucose carrier proteins and 500 sodium-potassium pumps. Membrane was placed between the beakers and a NaCl concentration of 9. 00mM was delivered into the left beaker and a KCl concentration of 6mM was dispensed into the right beaker. The ATP was the changing variable in this experiment. 1mM of ATP was dispensed and transfer was observed for 60 min. It was observed when no ATPmM was applied and finally when 3mM ATP was applied. Results Activity 1: Simple Diffusion TABLE 1 Dialysis Results (average diffusion rate in mM/min) Solute| Membrane (MWCO)| 20| 50| 100| 200| NaCl| No diffusion| 0. 0150| 0. 0150| 0. 0150| Urea| No diffusion| No diffusion| 0. 0094| 0. 0094| Albumin| No diffusion| No diffusion| No diffusion| No diffusion | Glucose| No diffusion| No diffusion| No diffusion| 0. 0040| NaCl had no diffusion until the 50 MWCO was introduced and then it had a constant rate through the larger pored membranes. Urea diffused at 1 00 MWCO and up. Albumin had no diffusion through any of the membranes and Glucose diffused only through the 200 MWCO membrane. Activity 2: Facilitated Diffusion TABLE 2Facilitated Diffusion Results (glucose transport rate (mM/min) | Number of glucose carrier proteins| Glucose concentration(m/M)| 500| 700| 900| 2. 00| 0. 0008| 0. 0010| 0. 0012| 8. 00| 0. 0023| 0. 0031| 0. 0038| As the number of glucose carrier proteins increased so did the rate of transfer for both concentrations of glucose. The higher concentration of the 8. 00 m/M had a faster rate than that of the 2. 00 m/M glucose concentration Activity 3: Osmotic Pressure TABLE 3 Membrane (MWCO) | Solute| 20| 50| 100| 200| Na* Cl-| 272| 0| 0| 0| Albumin| 136| 136| 136| 136|Glucose| 136| 136| 136| 0| The osmotic pressure was highest and only occurred with the 20 MWCO membrane. Albumin had a constant pressure of 136 mm Hg with every membrane and Glucose had constant pressure of 136 mm Hg until it was relieved when the 200 MWCO mem brane was introduced. Activity 4: Active Transport Table 4 Run: 1 Solute| ATP| Start Conc. L| Start Conc. R| Pumps| Carriers| Rate| Na*| 1. 00| 9. 00| 0. 00| 500| ——–| 0. 0270| K*| 1. 00| 0. 00| 6. 00| 500| ——| 0. 0180| Glucose| ———| 0. 00| 0. 00| ——-| 500| 0. 0000| Run: 2 Solute| ATP | Start Conc. L| Start Conc.R| Pumps| Carriers| Rate| Na*| 0. 00| 9. 00| 0. 00| 500| ——–| 0. 0000| K*| 0. 00| 0. 00| 6. 00| 500| ——-| 0. 0000| Glucose| ———-| 0. 00| 0. 00| ——–| 500| 0. 0000| Run: 3 Solute| ATP | Start Conc. L| Start Conc. R| Pumps| Carriers| Rate| Na*| 3. 00| 9. 00| 0. 00| 500| —–| 0. 0050| K*| 3. 00| 0. 00| 6. 00| 500| —–| 0. 0033| Glucose| ———| 0. 00| 0. 00| ———| 500| 0. 0000| When 1 ATP was dispensed the Na and K transported at a higher rate than when 3 ATP was dispense d and there was no transport when ATP was absent. Discussion Activity 1: Simple DiffusionUpon observing the results for all of the solutes with the 20 MWCO membrane between the left beaker and the artificial external environment of deionized water in the right beaker no diffusion occurred, because the pores were not large enough for them to pass through. An observation that is important to note is that even the small ions of NaCl did not diffused here, so it is obvious that the other molecules would also not diffuse. At 50 MWCO the pores were just large enough for the dissociated NaCl ions to get through but the threshold stopped there because Urea, Albumin and Glucose molecules in the solute were too large.Observations of the diffusion of the solutes with the 100 MWCO membrane showed that all but albumin and Glucose passed, so urea size was now compatible for the size of this pore. Finally, when the 200 MWCO membrane was introduced everything except Glucose got through because it i s a very large molecule that cannot diffuse simply. It must be facilitated. Activity 2: Facilitated Diffusion In the facilitated diffusion of Glucose the parameters that were introduced were the number of carrier proteins available for transport in the membrane.According to the results, when there was a 2. 00mM concentration of Glucose in the left beaker there was evidence of diffusion based on the measured rate of diffusion in mM/min. As the number of carrier proteins increased by 200 between 500 and 900 the rate between 0 . 0008 to 0. 0012mM/ min also increased by 0. 0002 min into the beaker. When 8. 00mM of Glucose was placed in the left beaker with the same carrier protein membrane criteria of 500, 700, and 800 the rate increased. The rate was actually faster than that of the 2. 00 mM concentration.As the concentration of glucose raised the demand for the protein attachment increased so more carrier proteins got involved, while previously some were just hanging out because there was less glucose to transfer. Activity 3: Osmosis In this experiment the study was based on the transfer of water across a membrane. Osmosis of water tends to balance out concentrations, so it will flow to an area of higher solute concentration. Water flowing to a more concentrated solution will usually increase in volume but in this closed system for the experiment the focus was on the increase of pressure.The solutes were confined to their area by a semi-permeable membrane based on the pores of the membrane and the size of the molecules in the solute. With 8mM of NaCl with a 20 MWCO membrane the pressure reading was 272 mHg because the salt was not able to pass through the membrane, but the water diffused to the salt side so there was pressure causing and unequal balance, but with the membranes of 50, 100 and 200 MWCO there was no pressure because the membrane became permeable to the salt allowing an equilibrium between he beakers, therefore no pressure. In the case of Albumin, t he water diffused building up pressure until there was no more water left to diffuse so pressure remained constant at all MWCOs. The same occurred with Glucose until the membrane was replaced with the 200 MWCO membrane. Glucose was able to diffuse thus resulting in equilibrium in both beakers. Pressure will rise until equilibrium is obtained. Activity 4: Active TransportThe experiment showed that at 1 ATP the reaction took place at very slow rate and not completely. Without ATP the transfer didn’t take place at all. When 3 ATP’s were added transfer took place quickly and almost completely. The more ATP introduced to the cell, the faster and more complete the transport will occur which is very important for the transport of glucose since it is a substrate for the production of more ATP.

Examples and Uses of Metals and Nonmetals

Most elements are metals, but quite a few are nonmetals. Its important to be able to distinguish between the different types of elements. Here are lists of five metals and five nonmetals, an explanation of how you can tell them apart, and some examples of their uses. Five Metals Metals usually are hard, dense conductors, often exhibiting a shiny metallic luster. Metallic elements readily lose electrons to form positive ions. Except for mercury, metals are solids at room temperature and pressure. Examples include: IronUraniumSodiumAluminumCalcium Five Nonmetals The nonmetals are on the upper right-hand side of the periodic table. Nonmetals typically are poor electrical and thermal conductors and dont have a metallic luster. They can be found as solids, liquids, or gases under ordinary conditions. Examples include: NitrogenOxygenHeliumSulfurChlorine How to Tell Metals and Nonmetals Apart The easiest way to identify whether an element is a metal or nonmetal is to find its position on the periodic table. A zigzag line runs down the right side of the table. Elements on this line are metalloids or semimetals, which have properties intermediate between those of metals and nonmetals. Every element to the right of this line is a nonmetal. All other elements (most elements) are metals. The only exception is hydrogen, which is considered a nonmetal in its gaseous state at room temperature and pressure. The two rows of elements below the body of the periodic table also are metals. Basically, about 75% of elements are metals, so if youre given an unknown element and asked to make a guess, go with a metal. Element names can be a clue, too. Many metals have names ending with -ium (e.g. beryllium, titanium). Nonmetals can have names ending with -gen, -ine, or -on (hydrogen, oxygen, chlorine, argon). Uses for Metals and Nonmetals Metals uses are directly linked to their qualities. For example: Shiny metals such as copper, silver, and gold are often used for decorative arts, jewelry, and coins.Strong metals such as iron and metal alloys such as stainless steel are used to build structures, ships, and vehicles such as cars, trains, and trucks.Some metals have specific qualities that dictate their use. For example, copper is a good choice for wiring because it is particularly good for conducting electricity. Tungsten is used for the filaments of light bulbs because it glows white-hot without melting. Nonmetals are plentiful and useful. These are among the most commonly used: Oxygen, a gas, is absolutely essential to human life. Not only do we breathe it and use it for medical purposes, but we also use it as an important element in combustion.Sulphur is valued for its medical properties and as an important ingredient in many chemical solutions. Sulfuric acid is an important tool for industry: It is used in batteries and in manufacturing.Chlorine is a powerful disinfectant. It is used to purify water for drinking and filling swimming pools.