Metals generally have which of the following properties compared to non-metals?

Metals are generally characterized by higher melting points compared to non-metals due to the strength of the metallic bonds that hold their atoms together. In metals, the atoms are surrounded by a "sea of electrons," which allows for strong interactions between the positively charged metal ions and the sea of delocalized electrons. This strong bonding typically results in metals requiring more energy to break these bonds, leading to higher melting points.

In contrast, non-metals often have weaker intermolecular forces and are typically covalently bonded structures, which means they do not require as much energy to melt or boil. Therefore, when comparing the two groups, metals tend to exhibit significantly higher melting points due to the differences in bonding characteristics.

The other properties mentioned, such as density, reactivity, and insulative properties, do not consistently hold true when comparing metals and non-metals across the board. For instance, metals generally have higher densities and are better conductors rather than insulators. Non-metals can vary widely in their reactivity depending on the specific element. Thus, the distinct characteristic of higher melting points is the definitive aspect distinguishing metals from non-metals in this context.