National League for Nursing (NLN PAX) Practice Exam

Nonmetals are characterized by their physical and chemical properties that differ significantly from metals. Being brittle in solid form is a common property of nonmetals. Unlike metals, which are typically malleable and ductile, nonmetals do not bend easily; instead, when subjected to stress, they often break or shatter instead of deforming. This is due to their atomic structure, which does not allow for the free movement of electrons that facilitates the ductility in metals.

In contrast, metals are good conductors of heat and electricity due to the free movement of their electrons, which is not the case with nonmetals. Furthermore, nonmetals do not display malleability or ductility, as these traits are fundamentally associated with metallic bonding. Finally, nonmetals often have lower melting points compared to the high melting points typical of many metals, further distinguishing their physical characteristics.