Which of the following elements is considered to be a non-metal
Based on the typical elements presented in such questions, the correct answer is Sulfur.
Explanation
In the classification of elements on the periodic table, a fundamental distinction is made between metals, metalloids, and non-metals. Non-metals are a group of elements located primarily on the upper right-hand side of the periodic table, with the exception of hydrogen. These elements are essential to life and form the basis of countless organic and inorganic compounds.
The physical and chemical properties of non-metals are characteristically opposite to those of metals. Physically, while metals are typically lustrous (shiny), malleable (can be hammered into sheets), and ductile (can be drawn into wires), non-metals are generally dull in appearance. In their solid state, such as Sulfur, they are brittle, meaning they will shatter or break when subjected to stress rather than changing shape. Furthermore, non-metals are poor conductors of both heat and electricity, which makes them effective insulators. Unlike the majority of metals which are solid at room temperature, non-metals exist in all three states: gases (like oxygen and nitrogen), a liquid (bromine), and solids (like carbon and sulfur).
Chemically, the defining characteristic of a non-metal is its tendency to gain or share electrons when reacting with other elements. Non-metals possess high electronegativity and high ionization energies. This means they hold onto their own valence electrons tightly and strongly attract electrons from other atoms. Consequently, when reacting with metals, non-metals typically gain electrons to form negatively charged ions, known as anions (e.g., sulfur forms the sulfide ion, S²⁻). When reacting with other non-metals, they form covalent bonds by sharing electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, as seen in molecules like carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O). This behavior is in stark contrast to metals, which readily lose electrons to form positive cations.
