Final answer:
Carbon is a non-metal because it is brittle and cannot be made into thin sheets or wires. It is also a good conductor of heat and electricity.
Step-by-step explanation:
It has properties that are characteristic of non-metals, such as being brittle and unable to be made into thin sheets or wires. However, it also exhibits some metallic behavior, such as conducting heat and electricity well.
The classification of carbon as a non-metal is based on its physical properties. While carbon can conduct heat and electricity, it does so less efficiently than metals. Additionally, carbon is black and brittle, which are typical characteristics of non-metals.
One example of carbon's non-metal behavior is its inability to be made into thin sheets or wires. Unlike metals like copper or aluminum, carbon cannot be hammered into thin foils or drawn into wires. This property is due to the arrangement of carbon atoms in its structure. Therefore carbon is classified as a non-metal.