Physical Properties of non-metals, chemical properties of non-metals, non¬metal oxides, Reaction of metal and Non-metal, Ionic bonds and formation of an ionic bond. Non-metals are the elements that do not conduct electricity and are neither malleable nor ductile.
Examples: Carbon (C), Sulphur (S), Phosphorous (P), Silicon (Si), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O), Nitrogen (N), Chlorine (Cl), Bromine (Br), Neon (Ne) and Argon (Ar) etc.
Non-metals are the elements which form negative ions by gaining an electron. Thus, non¬metals are also known as Electronegative Elements.
Physical properties of non-metals
- Hardness: Non-metals are not hard rather they are generally soft. But the diamond is an exception; it is the hardest naturally occurring substance.
- State: Non-metals may be solid, liquid or gas.
- Lustre: Non-metals have a dull appearance. Diamond and iodine are exceptions.
- Sonority: Non-metals are not sonorous, i.e., they do not produce a typical sound on being hit.
- Conduction: Non-metals are a bad conductor of heat and electricity. Graphite which is allotrope of carbon is a good conductor of electricity and is an exception.
- Malleability and ductility: Non-metals are brittle.
- Melting and boiling point: Non-metals have generally low melting and boiling points.
- Density: Most of the non-metals have low density.
- Colour: Non-metals are in many colours.
Many metals form ionic bonds when they react with non-metals. Compounds so formed are known as Ionic Compounds.
