You are given a hammer,a battery,a bulb,wires,and a switch.
$(a)$ How could you use them to distinguish between samples of metals and non-metals?
$(b)$ Assess the usefulness of these tests in distinguishing between metals and non-metals.

(N/A) With the hammer,we can beat the sample. If it can be beaten into thin sheets (i.e.,it is malleable),then it is a metal; otherwise,it is a non-metal.
Similarly,we can use the battery,bulb,wires,and a switch to set up an electrical circuit with the sample. If the sample conducts electricity,the bulb will glow,indicating it is a metal; otherwise,it is a non-metal.
$(b)$ These tests are useful in distinguishing between metals and non-metals because they are based on fundamental physical properties such as malleability and electrical conductivity. These tests are simple,quick,and do not involve any complex chemical reactions.