non-metals
Elements lacking conductivity
Non-metals are chemical elements that lack the properties of metals—they don't conduct electricity well, aren't shiny or malleable, and tend to gain rather than lose electrons.
Carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur are common examples.
Most non-metals are gases at room temperature, though some are solids.
The term appears mainly in chemistry education: The periodic table groups metals, non-metals, and metalloids.
Simplest atomic element
- oxygenElement eight, colorless gas
- carbonSixth element, atomic symbol C
- nitrogenElement seven, colorless gas
- phosphorusGlow-in-dark element
sulfur · chlorine · fluorine · bromine · iodine · helium · neon · argon
Electron-accepting reactant
- corrosiveDestroys by chemical action
- combustibleCapable of burning
- electronegativityAtomic electron attraction strength
- valenceCombining power measure
acidic · flammable · reactive · ionization · reduction · bonding · oxidation
Liable to shatter
- dullLacking edge or interest
- low densityFew particles per area
- electronegativeAttracts electrons in bonds
- covalent bondingShared-electron atomic linkage
diatomic · allotropes · amorphous · crystalline · molecular · gaseous · solid
From living matter
- carbon-basedContaining life's key element
- respirationGas exchange in organisms
- photosynthesisLight-to-sugar conversion in plants
- amino acidsOrganic compounds forming proteins
proteins · nucleic acids · ATP · chlorophyll · hemoglobin · enzymes · metabolism · cellular
Resists electricity passage
- electrical insulatorCharge-flow-blocking material
- dielectricPolarizable electrical non-conductor
- semiconductorPartial electrical conductor
- insulationThermal transfer prevention
hydrogen
Simplest atomic element
- oxygenElement eight, colorless gas
- carbonSixth element, atomic symbol C
- nitrogenElement seven, colorless gas
phosphorus · sulfur · chlorine · fluorine · bromine · iodine · helium · neon · argon · krypton
oxidizer
Electron-accepting reactant
- corrosiveDestroys by chemical action
- combustibleCapable of burning
- electronegativityAtomic electron attraction strength
valence · acidic · flammable · reactive · ionization · reduction · bonding · oxidation
brittle
Liable to shatter
- dullLacking edge or interest
- low densityFew particles per area
- electronegativeAttracts electrons in bonds
covalent bonding · diatomic · allotropes · amorphous · crystalline · molecular · gaseous · solid
organic
From living matter
- carbon-basedContaining life's key element
- respirationGas exchange in organisms
- photosynthesisLight-to-sugar conversion in plants
amino acids · proteins · nucleic acids · ATP · chlorophyll · hemoglobin · enzymes · metabolism · cellular · biomolecules
nonconductive
Resists electricity passage
- electrical insulatorCharge-flow-blocking material
- dielectricPolarizable electrical non-conductor
- semiconductorPartial electrical conductor
non-metalsmetals
Lustrous conductive elements
metallic elements · transition metals · alkali metals · noble metals · heavy metals