Non-Metals

A Non-Metal is an element that, by gaining electrons, makes negative ions. They generally have 4 to 7 electrons in their outer shell. In simple words, non-metal is an element that does not show any properties or attributes of metal. This means it cannot be beaten into sheets of firm wires and even doesn’t conduct electricity or heat like metal does, except in the case of hydrogen, which is a Non-Metal but under high pressure; it acts as an alkali metal. Along with that, it didn’t have a high melting and boiling point. The Non-Metal is only a few in the periodic table, which is presented on the right side. Let’s understand this with the Non-Metal definition and Non-Metal examples. 

What Is Non-Metal?

Non-Metal is any substance that generates negative ions by accepting electrons. The electron content in the outermost shell is 4, 5, 6, and 7. The Non-Metal definition can be the elements located on the right side of the periodic table, which are mainly liquids, gases or solids. 

They react precisely opposite to the metals. Non-Metal can be classified into two classes, one is covalent materials and the other one is ionic materials. The covalent materials include atoms smaller in size with a high rate of negative ions, along with negative oxidation in their compounds. 

In the other class, ionic materials are Non-Metal that involve minor and significant atoms in them. It forms ions by adding or extracting electrons from its atom. In this class, Non-Metal exists in either of the forms, which is monatomic anions and a part of polyatomic anions. 

Properties Of Non-Metal

Non-Metal is a substance that shares or gains electrons which forms negative ions during a chemical reaction. They are generally poor conductors of heat and electricity, but there are certain exceptions. Along with that, Non-Metal is non-lustrous. Let’s discuss the physical and chemical properties of Non-Metal. 

  • Non-Metal in their outer shell contains more than four electrons. This is why Non-Metals are electronegative, which means the negative ions formed during the formation of a bond. 
  • It doesn’t have any definite shape or size and can be easily broken. 
  • It is non-sonorous, so they don’t create ringing sounds when beaten or hitting any surface. 
  • When moving from left to right of the table, the Non-Metal starts having more Non-Metallic properties as it gains more electrons in its valence shell. 
  • It is a poor conductor of electricity and heat. Graphite is an exception here as it is one of the best conductors of heat and electricity, even being a Non-Metal. 
  • It generally does not lose its electrons quickly because of their electronegativity. 
  • It exists as solid and gases under normal pressure or room temperature. One exception to this is bromine. 
  • It can occur as diatomic, monoatomic, and polyatomic molecules.

Chemical properties of Non-Metal

  • Non-Metal doesn’t react with water while in the air, especially with oxygen. 
  • A Non-Metal like chlorine reacts with a metal, sodium, to form sodium chloride, a salt. 
  • The metal and Non-Metal give rise to ionic bonds where the metal gets oxidised and the Non-Metal gets reduced. 
  • Non-Metal goes through an oxidation reaction in the presence of oxygen to form oxides(neutral or acidic). 
  • When a Non-Metal reacts in the air, like if carbon reacts with oxygen, it gives rise to carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, etc. 
  • When a Non-Metal reacts with water, it gives rise to acid. For example, carbon dioxide, when reacted with water given carbonic acid. 

Non-Metal Examples

There are a total of 20 Non-Metal examples which are given in the periodic table. The Non-Metals are:

  1. Hydrogen
  2. Helium
  3. Oxygen
  4. Nitrogen
  5. Fluorine
  6. Carbon 
  7. Chlorine
  8. Iodine
  9. Bromine
  10. Argon
  11. Phosphorus 
  12. Sulphur
  13. Krypton
  14. Selenium
  15. Radon
  16. Xenon
  17.  Astatine
  18. Oganesson
  19. Osmium
  20. Tennessine

  • Non-Metal Utilisation 

As discussed above, Non-Metal can be used to make various substances like hydrogen, which helps prepare fuel used in rockets. Nitrogen is used to make fertilisers, nitric acid, and ammonia. Chlorine has the best use for contaminated umpire water. Graphite is used to make pencil leads. Sulphur is utilised to make Sulphuric acid.

Conclusion 

The Non-Metal topic has been briefly discussed, right from Non-Metal definition to Non-Metal examples. This guide involves a comprehensive, detailed explanation about Non-Metal.