Nonmetal (chemistry)

Chemical element that mostly lacks metallic attributes

Nonmetals are a group of chemical elements that generally lack the characteristics of metals. They are typically poor conductors of heat and electricity, and they tend to have high ionization energies and electronegativity values. Nonmetals can be found in various states of matter at room temperature, including gases, liquids, and solids.

Properties

Nonmetals exhibit a wide range of chemical properties and physical properties. They are usually more electronegative than metals, meaning they have a greater tendency to attract electrons. This property makes them more likely to form anions in chemical reactions. Nonmetals often have higher ionization energies and electron affinities compared to metals.

Occurrence

Nonmetals are found in various forms in nature. For example, oxygen and nitrogen are major components of the Earth's atmosphere, while carbon is a fundamental element in organic chemistry. Nonmetals are essential for life, as they are key components of biological molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates.

Uses

Nonmetals have a wide range of applications in different fields. For instance, hydrogen is used in the production of ammonia for fertilizers, while chlorine is used in water purification. Sulfur is used in the manufacture of sulfuric acid, an important industrial chemical. Nonmetals are also crucial in the semiconductor industry, where elements like silicon and germanium are used to make electronic components.

List of Nonmetals

The nonmetals include:

• Hydrogen
• Helium
• Carbon
• Nitrogen
• Oxygen
• Fluorine
• Neon
• Phosphorus
• Sulfur
• Chlorine
• Argon
• Selenium
• Bromine
• Krypton
• Iodine
• Xenon
• Radon

See also

• Metals
• Metalloids
• Periodic table