Element category
Reactive nonmetals
The reactive nonmetals are the nonmetallic elements outside the halogen and noble gas families: hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur and selenium. They gain or share electrons in reactions, building the covalent molecules that make up air, water and every living organism.
At a glance
- Elements
- 7
- Atomic numbers
- 1 to 34
- Blocks
- s-block, p-block
- Periods
- 1, 2, 3, 4
- Phase at STP
- solid (4), gas (3)
Shared properties
- Gain or share electrons in reactions, forming covalent bonds and negative ions
- Poor conductors of heat and electricity, in contrast to the metals
- Span gases, a liquid range of compounds and low melting solids at everyday conditions
- Include the biogenic elements hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and sulfur