Nonmetals

Posted on September 30, 2013 Updated on October 4, 2013

NonMetals

Atomic Radius:

        The atomic radius of nonmetals increases by one shell as you go down the list. When you go through to list from left to right, each element gains an electron on the outermost shell.

Location on the Periodic Table:

        The nonmetals are in the last few columns of the periodic table because they have from 4-8 electrons is the outermost shell, putting them groups 13-18 on the periodic table. Nonmetals react by gaining electrons rather than losing electrons because they have a lot of electrons on the outermost shell, making is easier to gain a few electrons, than getting rid of more electrons.

Reactivity:

        Metals get more reactive as you go down the list, whereas Nonmetals get less reactive as you go down the list because with nonmetals, the more electrons it has to gain, the more reactive it is.

Abundance on Earth:

        Nonmetals are found in the atmosphere, they are not manmade. Some of the sulphur deposits are about 1,000 ft underground. Sulphur is also mixed in with some rocks.

Uses:

        Nonmetals are used for different things. For example, oxygen is used to breathe. Chlorine is used to purify water, Phosphorus is used in crackers, Nitrogen and Potassium are used in fertilizers for plants, etc.

Melting and Boiling Points:

        Nonmetals have low melting and boiling points.Nonmetals low densities, because most of the elements are gases and liquids. Which is why the nonmetals will melt and boil faster.For example, Iodine, Phosphorus, and Sulfur have melting points of 44, 115, and 114 degrees Celsius, and boiling points of 280, 445, and 184 degrees. Even though most of the nonmetals have low boiling points, boron, silicon, and carbon have very high melting and boiling points.