Table of Contents
What is Non Metal? ; Properties ;Uses
Nonmetals are elements that do not have the properties of metals. They are usually found in the gaseous, liquid, or solid states at room temperature. Nonmetals are poor conductors of electricity and heat. They are found in the Earth’s crust in the form of oxides, sulfides, and carbonates. Nonmetals are used in the production of plastics, synthetic fibers, explosives, and pesticides. Nonmetal – Definition Properties Categories and Applications.
About Non Metals
Nonmetals are elements that do not have the ability to conduct electricity. They are located on the right side of the periodic table and are usually poor conductors of heat. They are also brittle, meaning they break easily.
Nonmetals Occur as Monatomic Anions
Nonmetals can exist as monatomic anions, which are atoms that have lost one or more electrons. In this configuration, the atom has a net negative charge and is called an anion. Nonmetals often form anions when they react with water. For example, when chlorine gas reacts with water, it forms hydrochloric acid, which has a chloride ion (Cl-) as its anion.
Physical Properties of Matter
The physical properties of matter are mass, volume, density, and temperature.
Mass is the amount of matter in an object. Volume is the amount of space an object occupies. Density is the amount of matter in a given volume. Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.
Chemical Properties
The chemical properties of water are determined by the polarity of the water molecule and the hydrogen bonding that occurs between water molecules.
Water is a polar molecule with a positive end (the hydrogen atoms) and a negative end (the oxygen atom). This polarity allows water molecules to form hydrogen bonds with each other. These hydrogen bonds are very strong and are responsible for the high melting and boiling points of water.
Comparison of Properties of the Elements
The table below lists the elements and compares their physical and chemical properties.
Element
Physical Properties
Chemical Properties
Hydrogen
gas
burns in air to form water
alkali metal
soft, low density, low melting point
react with water to form a strong base
Metalloid
A metalloid is a chemical element that has properties in between those of metals and nonmetals. Elements that are metalloids include arsenic, boron, carbon, germanium, silicon, and tellurium.
Reactive Nonmetal
A reactive nonmetal is a chemical element that readily donates electrons to other elements. In doing so, it becomes more stable and less reactive. The most common reactive nonmetals are carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen.
Noble Gas
Noble gases are a set of six chemical elements in the periodic table that have full outer shells of electrons. These elements are helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon. Noble gases are inert, meaning they do not react with other elements. They are found in the Earth’s atmosphere and in natural gas deposits.
Nonmetal – Definition Properties Categories and Applications.
