TERM 1

Non – Metals
Name - Mainak Ghosh
Class and Section – VII-C
Roll Number – 23
School – The Future Foundation School (TFFS)

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Table of Contents
What are Non-Metals? 3

Properties of Non-Metals 4

Uses of Non-Metals 5

Impact of Non-Metals on the Environment 6

References 7

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What is a Non-Metal?
A non-metal is simply an element that does not
display properties of a metal. It is not defined by
what it is, but by what it is not. It doesn’t look
metallic, cannot be made into a wire, pounded into
shape or bent, does not conduct heat or electricity
well, and does not have a high melting or boiling Image of a metal
point.

The non-metals are in the

minority on the periodic
table, mostly located on the
right-hand side of the
periodic table. The exception
is hydrogen which behaves
as a non- Elements colored pale yellow are non-
metals
metal at room temperature and pressure and is
fount on the upper left corner of the periodic
table. Under conditions of high pressure,
hydrogen is predicted to behave as an alkali
metal.

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Properties of a Non-Metals
The properties of non-metals are as follows:-

1. Malleability and Ductility

Non-metals are generally non-
malleable and non-ductile. This is
because non-metals are generally
brittle and cannot be used to make
sheets or wires.

2. Thermal and Electrical Conductivity

Non-metals are generally poor conductors of
heat and electricity. However, there is an
exception that graphite is a non-metal which
can conduct electricity. This is because of the
presence of free electrons in the graphite.
3. Luster
Non-metals generally do not have
the luster and cannot be polished.
An exception is that the non-metals
like iodine and graphite have a
natural shine on them. That is, they
are lustrous in nature.

4. Tensile Strength
The tensile strength of non-metals is generally quite low. This is
why non-metals can be broken quite easily.

5. Density
Non-metals are generally light and they have low densities too.

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Uses of Non-metals
Uses of Non-metals in our lives in categories:

1. In Our Daily Life

Oxygen which is 21% by volume helps in the respiration process. It
is also used for the manufacturing of steel and provides
high temperatures in the metal fabrication process.
Oxygen cylinders are used in hospitals.
Chlorine is useful in removing stains and colour patches
as a bleaching agent. Various graded plastics and insecticides are
made with chlorine. It helps in the purification of
water. Adding chlorine to drinking
water kills the bacteria.
Helium is used as inert gas for scientific
experiments. It is also used in weather
balloons.
Iodine helps to prevent throat infections and is used as an
antiseptic on wounds and cuts.

2. In Fertilizers
Fertilizers contain nitrogen. It helps in plant growth. It
enhances the rate of plant growth. Non Metal
phosphorus is also used for better plant growth. These
two nonmetals play a major role in plant growth.

3. In Fireworks/Crackers
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 Sulphur and Phosphorus are used in fireworks.

Impact of Non-metals on the

environment
The impacts of Non-metals on the environment are as follows:-
1. Non-metallic compounds have been increased in the environment
due to human activities.
2. These result in pollution of natural resources, such as air and water.
3. Among the most harmful and dangerous non-metal
compounds are nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide,
carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen
sulphide.
4. These can cause devastating effects to human
beings, plants, animals and the environment.
5. Non-metallic and metallic mineral mining together probably disturb
some 500,000 hectares of land per year world-wide.
6. Land impact includes excavation, waste
dumping and water table interference or
pollution, with consequent damage to
plants, and the ecological niches for
animals.

References
1. thoughtco.com
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2. embibe.com
3. byjus.com
4. Images from:
bing.com or google.com