2.4.5

Non-Metals

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Non-Metals

Non-metals can be found on the right-hand side of the dividing step line on the periodic table. There are 17 non-metals.

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Non-metals

  • One-quarter of the elements on the periodic table are non-metals.
  • Between the 17 elements, they can be all three states of matter.
  • Hydrogen is the most common element in the universe. Helium is the second most common.
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Non-metal uses

  • We use lots of non-metals.
    • Oxygen – a reactant used in respiration.
    • Carbon – can be used as a fuel (coal), pencil ‘lead’ (graphite) and also composes diamonds.
    • Chlorine – used in cleaning products.
    • Fluorine – used in toothpaste.
    • Nitrogen – used in fertilisers.
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Non-metal properties

  • The properties of non-metals include:
    • Good insulators – they do not conduct heat or electricity well. This is useful for keeping us warm and protecting us from electrical wiring.
    • Brittle – They will break apart and so cannot be hammered into shape.
    • None are magnetic (apart from carbon)
    • They have a low density.
    • Not ductile.
    • Not malleable.

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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