Definition Of Non ? Metals
Non metals are substances that exist in solid, liquid and gaseous states and are present in groups 14 – 16 of the periodic table
More About Non – Metals
- Non metals are brittle, and cannot be rolled into wires or pounded into sheets
- Non metals do not conduct heat and electricity very well
- The non-metals exist in two of the three states of matter at room temperature
- Gases such as oxygen and nitrogen and solids such as carbon and sulphur are a few examples
- Non metals do not have metallic luster
- Non metals do not reflect light
- The non metals are located on the upper right hand side of the periodic table
- Nonmetals are separated from metals by a line that cuts diagonally through the region of the periodic table containing elements with partially filled p orbitals
- The halogens and noble gases are nonmetals
- The nonmetal element group usually is considered to consist of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, and selenium
- Nonmetals have high ionization energies and electronegativities
- Solid nonmetals are generally brittle, with little or no metallic luster
- Most nonmetals have the ability to gain electrons easily
- Nonmetals display a wide range of chemical properties and reactivities
- They are generally highly insulating, highly electronegative, non-reflective gases
Some common properties of non metals:
- High ionization energies
- High electronegativities
- Poor thermal conductors
- Poor electrical conductors
- Brittle solids
- Little or no metallic luster
- Gain electrons easily
Uses of Non – Metals:
- Oxygen is used for breathing
- Chlorine is used for purifying water
- Phosphorous is used in crackers
- Non - metals like nitrogen is used in fertilizers
- Graphite is used as a good conductor of electricity
- Potassium is used in fertilizers
- Nitrogen is used by plants
- Graphite is used in making leads
- Carbon is used as a fuel
- Bromine is used in dyes and pesticides