Nonmetals

Definition

Nonmetals are elements that typically lack luster, are poor conductors of heat and electricity, brittle in solid form, and tend to gain electrons during chemical reactions becoming anions.

Related terms

Halogens: These are very reactive nonmetals found in Group 17 of the periodic table; they readily gain one electron to form -1 anions.

Noble Gases:

These are unreactive nonmetal gases found in Group 18 of the periodic table; they have full outer electron shells and usually do not form ions.

Covalent Bonding: A type of chemical bonding where nonmetal atoms share electrons with each other.