Nonmetals

Join us in exploring the properties, examples

and uses of non-metals!

Introduction
Nonmetals have varied properties, but they

do not exhibit those which characterize a

metal.
Nonmetals are also known as metalloids, or
semimetals.

Properties
Nonmetals tend to be easily vaporized.
They have low elasticity and are brittle.
They are good insulators of heat & electricity.
Tends to gain or share electrons when they

react with other elements or compounds.

They have high ionization energy. (Measure of
the difficulty of removing electrons or the
strength by which an electron is bound.)
Usually exists as anions or oxyanions in
aqueous solution.

The Elements
The following are the 17 elements generally

classified as nonmetals.
Most gases (hydrogen, helium, nitrogen,
oxygen, fluorine, neon, chlorine, argon,
krypton, xenon and radon); one is a liquid
(bromine), and a few are solids (carbon,
phosphorus, sulfur, selenium, and iodine).

Examples
The following are the examples of nonmetals

themselves, not the elements.

Solids Cement, Glass, Carbon Fibre,
Matches, Gunpowder, Selenium (since its a
mineral.)
Liquid Brominated Flame Retardants, Liquid
Hydrogen, Liquid Iodine, Hydrogen Peroxide
Gas Hydrogen, (since it has always been a
gas.) Neon Signs

Uses
Cement is used in building modern

infrastructures.
Liquid Hydrogen is used to fuel some rockets.
Hydrogen Peroxide is used to heal minor
wounds.
Glass is used to let light in while keeping a
space enclosed.
Carbon Fiber has many uses nowadays, it is
commonly found at modern day sports &
supercars.
Gunpowder is used to propel bullets.