Characteristics of nonmetals
1. What characterizes non-metals is that they lack the ability to conduct electricity, therefore they are poor conductors, unlike metals.
2. Non-metallic compounds in general are the basis for forming organic compounds essential for life.
3. Non-metal elements do not reflect light, are non-corrosive and are brittle, and break easily.
4. They also have high electronegativity, so when they form an ionic bond they tend to take electrons.