(b) Non–Metals : A non-metal is an element that is neither malleable nor ductile, and does not conduct electricity. All the non-metals are solids or gases, except bromine which is a liquid non-metal at room temperature.
Example. Some of the examples of non-metals are : Carbon, Sulphur, Phosphorus, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Chlorine, Bromine, Iodine, Helium, Neon, Argon, Krypton, and Xenon. Diamond and graphite are also non-metals.
Properties of non-metals The physical properties of non-metals are just the opposite of the physical properties of metals.
Non-metals are not malleable.
Non-metals are brittle.
Non-metals are not ductile. This means that non-metals cannot be drawn into wires. They are easily snapped on stretching.
Non-metals are bad conductors of heat and electricity.
Non-metals are not lustrous (not shiny). They are dull in appearance.
Non-metals are generally soft
Non-metals are not strong. They have low tensile strength.
Non-metals may be solid, liquid or gases at the room temperature.
Non-metals have comparatively low melting points and boiling points
Non-metals have low densities.
Non-metals are not sonorous.
Non-metals have many different colours.
Comparison Among the Properties of metals and non-metals.
| Metals | Non-Metals |
| 1. Metals are malleable and ductile. That is, metals can be hammered into thin sheets and drawn into thin wires. | 1. Non-metals are brittle.
They are neither malleable nor ductile. |
| 2. Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity. | 2. Non-metals are bad conductors of heat and electricity (except diamond which is a good conductor of heat, and graphite which is a good conductor of electricity) |
| 3. Metals are lustrous (shiny) and can be polished | 3. Non-metals are non-lustrous (dull) and cannot be polished (except iodine which is a lustrous non-metals) |
| 4. Metals are solids at room temperature (except mercury which is a liquid metal). | 4. Non-metals may be solid liquid or gases at the room temperature. |
| 5. Metals are strong and tough. They have high tensile strength. | 5. Non-metals are not strong. They have low |
| 6. Metals are sonorous. They make a ringing sound when struck. | 6.Non-metals are not sonorous. |