Nonmetals

Definition

Nonmetals are a group of elements that typically lack the physical and chemical properties characteristic of metals. They are generally poor conductors of heat and electricity, and they tend to gain electrons during chemical reactions, forming anions. Nonmetals are located on the right side of the periodic table, and their diverse properties contribute to various applications in both biological and industrial processes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Nonmetals include elements such as carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, and noble gases.
2. They usually exist in various states at room temperature: gases (like oxygen), solids (like sulfur), and one liquid (bromine).
3. In terms of reactivity, nonmetals can vary widely; for instance, halogens are highly reactive, while noble gases are largely inert.
4. Nonmetals generally have lower melting and boiling points than metals, which affects their states at room temperature.
5. Their ability to gain electrons in reactions makes them essential in forming compounds with metals and other nonmetals.

Review Questions

• How do the physical properties of nonmetals differ from those of metals, and why is this distinction important?
  • Nonmetals are usually poor conductors of heat and electricity, unlike metals which are good conductors. Nonmetals tend to have lower melting and boiling points as well as varying physical states at room temperature. This distinction is crucial because it affects their uses in various applications, such as nonmetals being used as insulators while metals are often utilized in electrical wiring.
• Evaluate the role of electronegativity in the behavior of nonmetals during chemical reactions.
  • Electronegativity plays a significant role in how nonmetals react with other elements. Nonmetals typically have high electronegativity values, allowing them to attract electrons strongly during bond formation. This property enables them to easily form anions when they react with metals or share electrons when bonding with other nonmetals. Understanding electronegativity helps explain the reactivity trends observed among nonmetals.
• Assess how the diversity of nonmetal elements contributes to their significance in both biological systems and industrial applications.
  • The diversity of nonmetal elements allows them to fulfill a variety of roles that are vital for life and industry. For example, carbon is essential for organic molecules; oxygen is critical for respiration; and nitrogen is a key component of amino acids. In industrial applications, nonmetals such as sulfur are used in fertilizers, while noble gases find use in lighting and refrigeration. Their varied properties enable nonmetals to be indispensable across multiple fields.

Related terms

Metalloids: Elements that have properties intermediate between metals and nonmetals, often exhibiting characteristics of both categories.

Electronegativity: A measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons in a chemical bond, which is typically higher in nonmetals compared to metals.

Diatomic Molecules: Molecules composed of two atoms, which is common for nonmetals like hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen in their elemental forms.