Write a short note on the electronic nature of non-metals? [3 MARKS]
Write a short note on the electronic nature of non-metals? [3 MARKS]
Each point: 1 Mark
1) Non-metals form ions by gaining electrons. For example, oxygen is a non-metal which forms O2− ions by gaining two electrons. Similarly, nitrogen forms N3− ions by gaining three electrons. Thus, non-metals are also known as electronegative elements.
2) The atoms of non-metals usually have 4 to 8 electrons in their outer most shell. For example, Carbon (Z= 6), Nitrogen (Z= 7), Oxygen (Z= 8), Fluorine (Z= 9) and Neon (Z= 10), have 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 electrons respectively in their outermost shell.
3) However, there are two exceptions namely hydrogen and helium which have one and two electrons in their valence shell or outer most shell, but they are non-metals.
Each point: 1 Mark
1) Non-metals form ions by gaining electrons. For example, oxygen is a non-metal which forms O2− ions by gaining two electrons. Similarly, nitrogen forms N3− ions by gaining three electrons. Thus, non-metals are also known as electronegative elements.
2) The atoms of non-metals usually have 4 to 8 electrons in their outer most shell. For example, Carbon (Z= 6), Nitrogen (Z= 7), Oxygen (Z= 8), Fluorine (Z= 9) and Neon (Z= 10), have 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 electrons respectively in their outermost shell.
3) However, there are two exceptions namely hydrogen and helium which have one and two electrons in their valence shell or outer most shell, but they are non-metals.
