nonmetals
Oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen
Nonmetals are chemical elements that lack the typical properties of metals—they don't conduct electricity well, aren't malleable, and don't have metallic luster.
Carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and the noble gases are nonmetals.
They occupy the upper right portion of the periodic table and include the elements most essential to organic life.
Simplest atomic element
- carbonSixth element, atomic symbol C
- nitrogenElement seven, colorless gas
- oxygenElement eight, colorless gas
- sulfurYellow combustible element
phosphorus · selenium · boron · silicon · iodine · bromine · chlorine · fluorine
Pale yellow halogen gas
- chlorineHalogen disinfectant element
- bromineElement thirty-five, liquid halogen
- iodineAntiseptic element, atomic fifty-three
- oxygenElement eight, colorless gas
sulfur · phosphorus · hydrogen · oxidation · corrosive · electronegativity · covalent · anions
Lightest noble gas
- neonInert illuminating element
- argonUnreactive element eighteen
- kryptonInert gas, atomic thirty-six
- xenonElement fifty-four, noble gas
radon · nitrogen · oxygen · hydrogen · chlorine · fluorine · inert · atmosphere
Yellow combustible element
- carbonSixth element, atomic symbol C
- phosphorusGlow-in-dark element
- seleniumElement number thirty-four
- siliconMetalloid in electronics
diamond · graphite · rubber · plastic · glass · ceramic · thermal · nonconductor
Liable to shatter
- dullLacking edge or interest
- electronegativeAttracts electrons in bonds
- molecularOf tiny particles
- amorphousWithout distinct shape
hydrogen
Simplest atomic element
- carbonSixth element, atomic symbol C
- nitrogenElement seven, colorless gas
- oxygenElement eight, colorless gas
sulfur · phosphorus · selenium · boron · silicon · iodine · bromine · chlorine · fluorine · astatine
fluorine
Pale yellow halogen gas
- chlorineHalogen disinfectant element
- bromineElement thirty-five, liquid halogen
- iodineAntiseptic element, atomic fifty-three
oxygen · sulfur · phosphorus · hydrogen · oxidation · corrosive · electronegativity · covalent · anions · valence
helium
Lightest noble gas
xenon · radon · nitrogen · oxygen · hydrogen · chlorine · fluorine · inert · atmosphere · breathable
sulfur
Yellow combustible element
- carbonSixth element, atomic symbol C
- phosphorusGlow-in-dark element
- seleniumElement number thirty-four
silicon · diamond · graphite · rubber · plastic · glass · ceramic · thermal · nonconductor · semiconductor
brittle
Liable to shatter
- dullLacking edge or interest
- electronegativeAttracts electrons in bonds
- molecularOf tiny particles
- element groupshalogens, noble gases, lanthanides, actinides, rare earth elements
- mattermatter, atoms, molecules, atom, molecule
- chemistryatom, atoms, organic chemistry, molecule, chemistry
- elementsoxygen, hydrogen, carbon, helium, nitrogen
- element propertiesatomic number, atomic mass, atomic weight, symbol, electronegativity
nonmetalsmetals
Lustrous conductive elements
metallic elements · alkali metals · transition metals · noble metals · heavy metals