Barium is a metal. It is located in Group 2, Period 6 on the periodic table. Metals are elements that are shiny, malleable, and ductile. They are good conductors of heat and electricity. Nonmetals are elements that are not shiny, are not malleable or ductile, and are poor conductors of heat and electricity. Metalloids are elements that have some properties of metals and some properties of nonmetals.