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Carbon, phosphorus, sulfur, selenium, and iodine
- Seventeen elements are generally classified as nonmetals; most are gases (hydrogen, helium, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, neon, chlorine, argon, krypton, xenon and radon); one is a liquid (bromine); and a few are solids (carbon, phosphorus, sulfur, selenium, and iodine).
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Feb 25, 2020 · While the metals are malleable and ductile, the nonmetals tend to form brittle solids. The nonmetals tend to gain electrons readily to fill their valence electrons shells, so their atoms often form negative-charged ions. Atoms of these elements have oxidation numbers of +/- 4, -3, and -2.
- Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Nonmetals are chemical elements that mostly lack distinctive metallic properties. They range from colorless gases like hydrogen to shiny crystals like iodine. Physically, they are usually lighter (less dense) than metals; brittle or crumbly if solid; and often poor conductors of heat and electricity.
Sep 20, 2022 · Nonmetals are generally poor conductors of heat and electricity. Properties of nonmetals are usually the opposite of properties of metals. Nonmetals can be solid, liquid, or gas at room temperature depending upon the element. Sulfur, bromine, and helium are typical nonmetals.
The nonmetals have higher electronegativities than do metals, and compounds formed between metals and nonmetals are generally ionic in nature because of the large differences in electronegativity between them. The metals form cations, the nonmetals form anions, and the resulting compounds are solids under normal conditions.
May 1, 2024 · Like metals, nonmetals may occur in the solid, liquid, or gaseous state. However, unlike metals, nonmetals display a wide range of both mechanical and optical properties, ranging from brittle to plastic and from transparent to opaque.
Nonmetals. Elements that tend to gain electrons to form anions during chemical reactions are called non-metals. These are electronegative elements. They are non-lustrous, brittle and poor conductors of heat and electricity (except graphite). Non-metals can be gaseous, liquids or solids.
