Question

Non-metals are usually poor conductors of heat and electricity. They are non-lustrous, non-sonorous, non-malleable and are colored. Name a non-metal which is known to form the largest number of compounds.

Answer 1

Catenation:-

1. It basically refers to the bonding of the atoms of the same element in a series and forming a chain.
2. Due to this property, there is a rise in the formation of chemical compounds.
3. Carbon is non-metal and is of right and small size and fits easily in any part.
4. So, catenation is the property of carbon non-metal of forming the long chains and a large number of compounds by just forming four chemical bonds to the other carbon atoms.

Therefore, carbon is a non-metal which can form a large number of compounds.