Non-Metals

Elements that do not exhibit the characteristics of metals. These elements differ markedly from metals in respect to electronegativity and thermal and electrical conductivity. These elements, in general, are poor conductors and have a high electronegativity. This series includes halogens, noble gasses and some of the metalloids (B, Si, As and Te).

They are usually brittle or waxy or gaseous, and cannot be hammered into sheets or drawn into wire. Nonmetals gain electrons easily to form anions. About 20% of the known chemical elements are nonmetals.

See Also

Metals.