Nonmetal Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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nonmetal
[nɒnˈmɛtəl ]
Definition
chemical classification
Nonmetals are elements that are typically dull in appearance, poor conductors of heat and electricity, and have a variety of physical states, including gas, liquid, and solid at room temperature. Unlike metals, they tend to gain electrons during chemical reactions, forming anions. Nonmetals comprise a diverse set of elements, including hydrogen, helium, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, bromine, and iodine. This group plays a crucial role in life processes, as many organic and biological compounds contain nonmetals. The properties of nonmetals vary widely, leading to their use in a multitude of applications ranging from medicine to technology.
Synonyms
element, nonmetal substance, nonmetallic element.
Examples of usage
- Oxygen is a vital nonmetal for respiration.
- The nonmetal sulfur is commonly used in fertilizers.
- Carbon, a nonmetal, is essential for organic life.
- Inorganic nonmetals like phosphorus are used in detergents.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Science
- Nonmetals can exist in a variety of states; they can be gases, liquids, or solids at room temperature.
- Common examples include oxygen, carbon, and sulfur, all essential for life in different ways.
- Unlike metals, nonmetals usually gain electrons in chemical reactions, forming anions.
Cultural Significance
- In some cultures, symbols of nonmetals like carbon are celebrated in art, such as the transformation of coal to diamonds.
- Nonmetals play a crucial role in environmental discussions, especially carbon in combating climate change.
Technology
- Nonmetals are critical in the manufacturing of semiconductors, vital for modern electronics.
- Many nonmetals, such as silicon, are used to make materials like glass and ceramics.
Literature
- In literature, nonmetals often symbolize fragility and change, as seen in poetry that contrasts the permanence of metals with the transient nature of gases.
- Works of science fiction frequently explore the properties of nonmetals in futuristic materials and technologies.
Origin of 'nonmetal'
Main points about word origin
- The prefix 'non-' comes from Latin meaning 'not', combined with 'metal', which reflects the essential properties of these elements.
- The term has been in use since the 19th century as scientists began classifying elements more systematically.
The term 'nonmetal' has its origins in the early 19th century, derived from the prefix 'non-' meaning 'not' and 'metal' which comes from the Latin 'metallum' referring to a mine, metal, or metallic substance. The classification of elements into metals and nonmetals took shape significantly in the late 1700s as scientists began to understand the periodic nature of elements. This division was based on observable properties: metals were recognized for their lustrous appearance, malleability, and good conductivity, while nonmetals displayed contrasting properties such as brittleness and dullness. In 1869, Dmitri Mendeleev's periodic table provided a systematic arrangement of elements, leading to a clearer definition of nonmetals and their relationships with metals and metalloids. Since then, the term has been widely used in chemistry to describe elements on the right side of the periodic table, which fulfill different roles in both inorganic and organic chemistry.