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Sulphur, phosphorus, nitrogen, chlorine, iodine, boron, silicon, carbon, bromine, fluorine and oxygen are non-metals.
Non-metals exist in all the three states.
Silicon and carbon are solids; bromine is a liquid; chlorine, fluorine and oxygen are gases.
Non-metals are non-lustrous, non-malleable and not ductile, except for carbon fibres, which are ductile. Non-metals do not produce any sound when hit, which means they are not sonorous.
Non-metals do not conduct heat and electricity, except for graphite.
Non-metals react with oxygen and form acidic or neutral oxides.
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For example, sulphur reacts with oxygen to form sulphur dioxide, which is acidic.
Carbon monoxide and nitric oxide are neutral oxides.
Phosphorus is a very reactive non-metal. It catches fire if exposed to air. To prevent the contact of phosphorus with atmospheric oxygen, it is stored in water.
Non-metals do not react with acids.
The reaction of non-metals with bases is complex.
For example, when chlorine reacts with a base like sodium hydroxide, it gives multiple products like sodium hypochlorite, sodium chloride and water.
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