5.3 Nonmetals Have Properties in Common

Question 1

Nonmetals

Answer 1

• Do not conduct electricity or heat.
• Brittle and dull in appearance.
• Not lustrous or ductile.
• Large range of melting/boiling points.
• Many are gases at room temperature.
• Most are found in groups 14–18.

Question 2

Metalloids

Answer 2

• Found between metals and nonmetals.
• Mixed properties (can conduct electricity).
• Three metalloids act as semiconductors.
• Staircase boundary

Question 3

Halogens (Group 17)

Answer 3

• 7 electrons in their valence shells.
• Highly reactive with metals to form salts.
• Some have bleaching properties.
• Melting/boiling points increase as you go down the group.
• The only group with elements that range from gas to liquid to solid at room temperature.
• Reactivity decreases as you go down the group.
• Fluorine is the most reactive and dangerous to handle.
• Effective at cleaning and sterilizing due to lethal effects on bacteria and fungi.

Question 4

Noble Gases (Group 18)

Answer 4

• 8 electrons in their outer shell (helium has 2).
• Unreactive (inert).
• Do not form compounds with other elements (helium, neon, argon)