non-metal
Definition
- Noun:
- A chemical element that does not have the properties of a metal: "non-metal" refers to an element that is typically a poor conductor of heat and electricity, is not malleable or ductile, and often forms acidic oxides. Common non-metals include oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Oxygen is a non-metal essential for respiration. (A chemical element lacking metallic properties.)
- In chemistry class, we learned that sulfur is a non-metal that is yellow and brittle. (An element that does not conduct electricity well.)
Advanced Usage
"non-metal" in classification: In the periodic table, elements are divided into metals, non-metals, and metalloids. Non-metals are located on the right side of the table.
- Hydrogen, despite being placed on the left, is often classified as a non-metal. (It lacks typical metallic characteristics.)
"non-metal" in industrial contexts: Non-metals are used in a wide range of products, from plastics to fertilizers, due to their chemical reactivity.
- Phosphorus, a non-metal, is a key ingredient in fertilizer. (An element used for its chemical properties.)
Variants and Related Words
- Non-metallic (adj): having the characteristics of a non-metal.
- The non-metallic properties of carbon include its poor electrical conductivity. (Describing an element that does not behave like a metal.)
- Non-metal is also sometimes spelled as nonmetal (without a hyphen), though the hyphenated form is more standard in formal writing.
Synonyms
- Nonmetallic element: a more technical term for a non-metal.
- Electronegative element: a term used in chemistry to describe non-metals that tend to gain electrons.
Related Idioms
- There are no common idioms directly using "non-metal," but the term is frequently used in scientific contexts like "non-metal oxide" (an oxide that forms an acid when dissolved in water).
- Carbon dioxide is a non-metal oxide that produces carbonic acid in water. (A compound from a non-metal reacting with oxygen.)