Question

Which properties are characteristics of nonmetals? Check all that apply.

malleable
brittle
solid at room temperature
low density
electrical insulator
thermal conductor

Answer 1

Nonmetals exhibit the following characteristics:

1. **Brittle** - Nonmetals are generally brittle in their solid form.
2. **Low density** - Many nonmetals have lower densities compared to metals.
3. **Electrical insulator** - Nonmetals typically do not conduct electricity and are considered insulators.
4. **Thermal conductor** - Nonmetals are generally poor thermal conductors, though there are some exceptions (e.g., graphite).

Therefore, the applicable properties of nonmetals from your list are:

- Brittle
- Low density
- Electrical insulator

Nonmetals can exist in solid, liquid, or gaseous states at room temperature (e.g., oxygen is a gas, bromine is a liquid, sulfur is a solid), so "solid at room temperature" is not universally applicable to nonmetals. Additionally, nonmetals are not malleable and do not exhibit that property.