Which of the following is a characteristic of nonmetals?
Nonmetals are often brittle solids.
Nonmetals are often malleable.
Nonmetals often conduct electricity.
Nonmetals are often ductile.
Nonmetals are often brittle
The correct characteristic of nonmetals is: Nonmetals are often brittle solids. Nonmetals are typically not malleable (i.e., they cannot be hammered or bent into shape). They are also poor conductors of electricity and heat, and they are not ductile (they cannot be drawn into wires).
The characteristic of nonmetals among the given options is that they are often brittle solids. To understand why, we need to know the properties of nonmetals.
Nonmetals are a group of elements on the periodic table that have certain distinct properties. Unlike metals, nonmetals tend to be poor conductors of electricity and heat. They have lower melting and boiling points compared to metals, making them more likely to exist as gases or brittle solids at room temperature.
When we talk about brittleness, it refers to the property of a material to break or shatter when subjected to stress or force. Nonmetals are generally characterized by being brittle, which means they lack the ability to deform plastically under stress. Instead, they are more likely to undergo fracture or breakage when enough force is applied.
Therefore, among the given options, the correct characteristic of nonmetals is that they are often brittle solids.