Question

Explain about the characteristics of non-metals.

Answer 1

• Non-metals are located at the top right hand side of the periodic table.
• In a period, as we move from left to right the non-metallic character increases while the metallic character increases as we go down a group.
• Non-metals are usually solids or liquids or gases at room temperature with low melting and low boiling points (Exceptions: boron and carbon). 
• They are poor conductors of heat and electricity. 
• Most of the non-metallic solids are brittle and are neither malleable nor ductile.