Non-Metals

Non-metals - Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorous, Sulfer & Selenium


What are Non-metals? Define Non-metals
Non-metals are used as a term in Periodic Chemistry when classifying the chemical elements. Each element can usually be classified as a metal or a non-metal based on their general Chemical and Physical Properties. Non-metals  are any of the non-metallic elements within Groups 14,15 and 16 in the Periodic Table (see the List of Non-metals). Non-metallic elements exist, at room temperature, in two of the three States of Matter: Gases (such as oxygen) and Solids (such as carbon).

What are Non-metals? What elements are classified as Non-metals?
There is a great deal of variation among this group of 7 elements classified as Non-Metals. Three of the elements are gases and four are solids at normal room temperature. The Non-metals that are are gases are Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Oxygen. The Non-metals that are are solids are Carbon, Phosphorus, Selenium and Sulfer. The properties of non-metals are not universal or as consistent as the metals.

 

What are Non-metals? Common Properties of Solid Non-metals
Elements described as the solid Non-metals have low melting points compared to the metals. They are poor conductors of heat and electricity, they are brittle solids, not ductile in their solid state - they cannot be rolled into wires or pounded into sheets. They are usually dull and therefore show no metallic luster and they do not reflect light. They also have a low density.

Common properties of Solid Non-metals
The elements classed as solid Non-metals therefore have some of the following properties in common:

  • Poor thermal conductors
  • Poor electrical conductors
  • Low Density
  • Dull, Brittle solids
  • Little or no metallic luster
  • High ionization energies
  • High electro-negativities

Non-metals List - Chemical Elements in the Periodic Table
The elements contained in the classification of Non-metals list are as follows:

Elements classified as Non-metals
The 7 elements classified as "Non-metals" are located in Groups 14,15 and 16 of the Periodic Table. Solid Non-metals are not easily able to conduct electricity or heat and do not reflect light. Non-metallic elements are very brittle, and cannot be rolled into wires or pounded into sheets. Non-metallic elements exist, at room temperature, in two of the three states of matter : gases (such as oxygen) and solids (such as carbon).

 

Elements in the Periodic Table are classified as follows:
  • Metalloids
  • Alkali Metals
  • Alkaline Earth Metals
  • Transition Metals
  • Other Metals
  • Non-metals
  • Halogens
  • Noble Gases
  • Rare Earth Elements

Compare the properties of the elements classified as Non-metals with the other group classifications via Periodic Table Groups and using the Periodic Table.


Non-metals
Details and information regarding all of the Elements can be accessed by clicking the appropriate element link. Compare the properties of each element quickly by using the Periodic Table.

Non-metals

Non-metals are included in The Elements are the building blocks of Modern Science & Chemistry
for a chart that details the weights click
Periodic Table with Atomic Mass


Periodic Table IndexFree Online Science Quiz

 

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