NONMETALS & METALLOIDS

Section 16-3

Exploring Nonmetals

Except for the noble (inert) gases, most families of nonmetals also contain metalloids and/or metals,

so the families of nonmetals are not as similar in properties, as families of metals

Properties of Nonmetals•Nonmetals make products

with a wide variety of properties

(fur, plants, plastics, liquids, gases)

•Mostly gases at room temp.•Opposite physical properties

of metals: soft, dull, poor conductors, brittle (break easily), low densities.•Most nonmetals react (gain or

share electrons) to form compounds (except nobles)

dull

brittle

sulfur

NOT malleable or ductile, Crumbles easily

Compounds of Nonmetals• Some compounds - Nonmetals gain

electrons from metals (Na metal gives 1 ve- to Cl nonmetal to form the compound NaCl)

• Other compounds – nonmetals share electrons with other nonmetals (CO or CO2)

• Diatomics – nonmetals share electrons to form weak bonds with their “twin”; 7 elements: N2, O2, F2, Cl2, Br2, I2, & H2

Hydrogen is special!• Hydrogen is a nonmetal and

belongs to a family of its own.• Hydrogen is rarely found alone,

it is usually combined with oxygen to form water

• Hydrogen is a simple, reactive gas that will lose, gain, or share 1 valence electron.

• Hydrogen was involved in the explosion of the Hindenberg.

• Hydrogen is promising as an alternative fuel source for automobiles

H

1 ve-

Carbon Family • Elements in group 14, (one nonmetal, two metalloids, & two metals)

• Form compounds by losing, sharing, or gaining electrons• Contains elements important to life and computers.• Carbon is the basis for an entire branch of chemistry known as

organic chemistry• Lead in household paints gave children lead poisoning• Silicon is a semiconductor, highly used in the computer industry.

4 ve-

CSiGeSnPb

• Elements in group 15, (two nonmetals, two metalloids, & one metal)

• Form compounds by sharing or gaining electrons• Nitrogen makes up ¾ of the earth’s atmosphere as N2 ,

but this form is not available to living things• Farmer use nitrogen rich soils for their crops, and we obtain

the nitrogen we need from those plants• Nitrogen and phosphorus are both important in living things.• Phosphorus is used to make matches and flares

Nitrogen Family

5 ve-

NPAsSbBi

• Elements in group 16 (three nonmetals, one metalloids, & one metal)

• Oxygen is very reactive & forms compounds by sharing/gaining 2 ve-• Oxygen is the most abundant element in the earth’s crust and

second most abundant element in the atmosphere• Diatomic O2 is necessary for respiration and

triatomic O3 called ozone protects us from radiation from the sun• Many things that stink, contain sulfur (rotten eggs, garlic, skunks, medicines)

Oxygen Family 6 ve-OSSeTePo

Halogens• Elements in group 17, very similar• Mostly diatomic elements, “twins”• Very reactive, volatile, nonmetals,

but useful in compounds• Usually shares or gains 1 ve-• Always found combined with other

element in nature (NaCl)• Used disinfectants, to strengthen

teeth, in nonstick cookware• Bromine is a liquid at room temp.

7 ve-

FClBrIAt

The Noble Gases HeNeArKrXeRn

8 or 0 ve-(2 ve- if He)

The Noble or Inert Gases

• Elements in group 18• VERY UNREACTIVE gases• Have a full valence shell• First found in small amounts, in the

earth’s crust, in the late 1800’s• Used in lighted “neon” signs• Used in blimps to fix the Hindenberg

problem