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Non-metals are materials which do not possess the properties of metals. Non-metals are not sonorous and are poor conductors of heat and electricity. Non-metals cannot be pounded into any shape. The elements of non-metals have 4,5,6, or 7 electrons in their outer shells.
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Key Terms: Metals, Hydrogen, Carbon, Sulphur, Bromine, Helium, Noble Gases, Nitrogen,
What Are Non-Metals?
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A non-metal is a material which does not possess the properties of metals like lustre. They are non-malleable, non-ductile, non-sonorous and bad conductors of heat and electricity. A nonmetal is simply an element that does not display the properties of a metal.
Also Read: Conductors and Insulators
Use Of Non-Metals
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Specified uses of non-metals are:
Hydrogen
Carbon
- Carbon is used to make sugar, proteins and glucose.
- Carbon is used in making jewellery.
- Carbon is used for carbon dating.
- Carbon is also used in industries.
- Carbon is used in the production of carbohydrates.
- Amorphous carbon is used in making inks, batteries and paints.
- Graphite is utilized as the lead in pencils.
- Graphite is used in the production of steel.
- Carbon-14 is used to measure the age of fossils, bones etc.
Read More On carbon:
| Articles Related To Carbon | ||
|---|---|---|
| Carbon | Carbon And Its Compound | Versatile Nature Of Carbon |
| Allotropes Of Carbon | Carbon Cycle | Carbon Group |
Sulphur
- Sulphur is used as an insecticide or a fumigant.
- Sulphur is used to make gunpowder, fireworks, and matches to facilitate ignition.
- Sulphur is used for manufacturing rubber for tires and other materials.
- Sulphur is used for the preparation of sulphuric acid.
Read More On Sulphur:
| Articles Related To Sulphur | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sulphur | Sulphur Cycle | oxoacids of Sulphur |
Bromine
- Bromine is used in pharmaceuticals for treating pain, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.
- Bromine is used as a disinfectant for water treatment.
- Bromine is used in manufacturing flame-retardant materials for children’s clothing.
- Bromine is essentially used in dyes and pesticides.
Read More On Bromine:
| Articles Related To Bromine | ||
|---|---|---|
| Lithium Bromide | Diatomic Bromine | Barium Bromide |
Helium
- Helium is used for scientific research.
- Helium is also used in balloons and lasers.
- Helium is used in forecasting weather.
- Liquid helium is used to cool superconducting magnets for imaging studies.
Noble gases
- Noble gas is used in the advertisement industry.
- Noble gas is used for producing laser beams.
- Noble gas is used in filling nightclubs.
Read More On Noble Gas:
| Articles Related To Noble Gas | ||
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| Noble Gas | Group 18 elements | |
Nitrogen
- Nitrogen is used in industries for the production of ammonia and nitric acid
- Nitrogen is present in nitrates and nitrites in water and in soils. These compounds are a constituent of the nitrogen cycle.
- Nitrogen is a constituent of DNA and a part of the genetic code.
- Liquid nitrogen is used as a refrigerant for transporting foodstuff and freezing purposes.
- Liquid nitrogen is also used for the preservation of bodies and reproductive cells.
- The nitric acid salts are used in the making of compounds, like potassium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, and nitric acid.
- The organic nitrated compounds like nitroglycerin are used as explosives.
Read More On Nitrogen:
| Articles Related To Nitrogen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Oxides Of Nitrogen | Nitrogen Fixation | Nitrogen Dioxide |
Fluorine
- Fluorine is used in refrigeration, air conditioning & insecticide.
- Fluorine is used in toothpaste.
- Fluorine is also used to make Teflon.
- Fluorine is used to enhance rocket fuel.
Phosphorus
- Phosphorus is used in crackers..
- Phosphorus is used in the production of fine chinaware and special glasses.
- Phosphorus is used in fireworks, fertilizers, and baking powder.
- Phosphorus is used in the making of steel.
Read More On Phosphorus:
| Articles Related To Phosphorus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Red Phosphorus | Phosphorus Trichloride | Phosphorus Cycle |
Also Read: Difference between baking soda and baking powder
Radon
- Radon is used to cure tumours and other diseases.
Selenium
- Selenium is used for treating selenium deficiency.
- Selenium is also required for thyroid and immune system function.
Non-Metals
Chemical Properties Of Non-Metals
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The specified chemical properties of non-metals are:
Reaction With Metal: Non-Metals react with metal, generally forming ionic compounds.
Reaction With Water: A non-metal does not react with water. Non-metals are reactive in the air so they are stored in water.
Reaction With Oxygen: The oxides non-metals are formed with the reaction of metal with oxygen. The oxides of non-metals are acidic or neutral in nature
Reaction With Acid: The non-metals don’t react with acids.
Reaction With Base: The reaction between non-metals and bases makes complex products like sodium hypochlorite, sodium chloride and water as well.
Also read:
| Topic Related Content | ||
|---|---|---|
| Refining of Metals | Metals & Non-Metals | Metals and Non-Metals Formula and Equations |
Physical Properties Of Non-Metals
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Physical properties of non-metals are:
- Non-metals in the solid state tend to be brittle.
- Non-metals lack the malleability and ductility exhibited by metals.
- Non-metals are not ductile except for carbon.
- Non-metals exhibit very low electrical conductivities.
- Non-metals are not sonorous.
- Non-metals are bad conductors of heat and electricity except graphite.
Also Read:
| Chapter Related Content | ||
|---|---|---|
| Non-Metals | Non-Metal Oxides | Physical Properties of Metals and Non-metals |
Things To Remember
- Hydrogen is used as a lifting agent in balloons.
- Helium is used for scientific research.
- Nitrogen is a constituent of DNA and a part of the genetic code.
- Bromine is used as a disinfectant for water treatment.
- Sulphur is used as an insecticide or a fumigant.
Sample Questions
Ques. Differentiate between metals and non-metals. (3 Marks)
Ans. Differentiation between metals and non-metals:
| Metals | Non – Metals |
|---|---|
| Metals are ductile | Non-metals are non- ductile |
| Metals are malleable | Non-metals are brittle |
| Metals are good conductors are heat and electricity | Non-metals are bad conductors of heat and electricity |
| Metals are strong and weak | Non-metals are weak |
Ques. List the chemical properties of non-metals. (3 Marks)
Ans. The specified chemical properties of non-metals are:
Reaction With Metal: Non-Metals react with metal, generally forming Ionic compounds.
Reaction With Water: A non-metal does not react with water. Non-metals are reactive in the air so they are stored in water.
Reaction With Oxygen: The oxides non-metals are formed with the reaction of metal with oxygen. The oxides of non-metals are acidic or neutral in nature.
Reaction With Acid: The non-metals don’t react with acids.
Reaction With Base: The reaction between non-metals and bases makes complex products like sodium hypochlorite, sodium chloride and water as well.
Ques. State the physical properties of non-metals. (3 Marks)
Ans. The physical properties are:
- Non-metals lack the malleability and ductility exhibited by metals.
- Non-metals are not ductile except for carbon.
- Non-metals exhibit very low electrical conductivities.
- Non-metals are not sonorous.
- Non-metals are bad conductors of heat and electricity except graphite.
Ques. What are the uses of nitrogen? (4 Marks)
Ans. The uses of nitrogen are:
- Nitrogen is used in industries for the production of ammonia and nitric acid.
- Nitrogen is present in nitrates and nitrites in water and in soils. These compounds are a constituent of the nitrogen cycle.
- Nitrogen is a constituent of DNA and a part of the genetic code.
- Liquid nitrogen is used as a refrigerant for transporting foodstuff and freezing purposes.
- Liquid nitrogen is also used for the preservation of bodies and reproductive cells.
- The nitric acid salts are used in the making of compounds, like potassium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, and nitric acid.
Ques. What is non-metal? (1 Mark)
Ans. A non-metal is a material which does not possess the properties of metals like lustre. They are non-malleable, non-ductile, non-sonorous and bad conductors of heat and electricity. A nonmetal is simply an element that does not display the properties of a metal.
Ques. What are the uses of carbon? (3 Marks)
Ans. The uses of non-metal carbon are:
- Carbon is used in making jewellery.
- Carbon is used for carbon dating.
- Carbon is also used in industries.
- Carbon is used in the production of carbohydrates.
- Amorphous carbon is used in making inks, batteries and paints.
- Graphite is utilized as the lead in pencils.
Ques. Are nonmetals reactive? (2 Marks)
Ans. Some nonmetals are very reactive, whereas others are non-reactive. Nonmetals have low boiling points, so many nonmetals are found as gases. Nonmetals are also considered poor conductors of heat, and solid nonmetals are dull and brittle. It all depends on the number of electrons present in their outer energy level.
Ques. What is the respective use of phosphorus? (3 Marks)
Ans. Uses of phosphorus are:
- Phosphorus is used in crackers..
- Phosphorus is used in the production of fine chinaware and special glasses.
- Phosphorus is used in fireworks, fertilizers, and baking powder.
- Phosphorus is used in the making of steel.
Ques. Why is oxygen known as a nonmetal? (1 Mark)
Ans. Oxygen is a member of the chalcogen group on the periodic table and hence it is treated as a highly reactive nonmetallic element.
Ques. Is there any element that possesses some part of the properties of metals and some properties of non-metals? (1.5 Marks)
Ans. An element called metalloids possesses some part of the properties of metals and some properties of non-metals properties of both metals and nonmetals during the chemical reaction.
Ques. Non-metal oxides when reacting with water form (1 Mark)
(a) Neutral Compounds
(b) Acids
(c) Bases
(d) None of the above.
Ans. b. Acid
Explanation: Non-metal oxides form acids when they react with water.
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