PERIODIC TABLE OF THE ELEMENTS NONMETALS

Materials that are poor conductors of electricity are generally considered nonmetals. One important use of nonmetals, in fact, is the capability to insulate against current low. Earth’s atmosphere is composed of nonmetallic elements, but lightning can break down the electron bonds and allow huge voltages to make their way to the ground. Water in its pure form is nonmetallic, though it almost always contains impurities called electrolytes that allow for an electric ield. While scientists categorize the chemical elements as nonmetals, metals, and metalloids largely based on the elements’ abilities to conduct electricity at normal temperatures and pressures, there are other distinctions taken into account when classifying the elements in the periodic table. he noble gases, for example, are nonmetals, but have such special properties that they are given their own classiication. he same is true for the halogens. When referring to the periodic table, the nonmetal classiication is given to hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, oxygen, sulfur, and selenium. All these elements, except hydrogen, appear on the right side of the periodic table (see “he Nonmetals Corner,” shown below). Hydrogen’s place is at the upper let, strictly because of its electron coniguration, though it has been shited in the following table for ease of grouping.