Element Classes

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2

Examples of Nonmetals

Sulfur, S, was once known as “brimstone”

Microspheres of phosphorus, P, a reactive nonmetal

Graphite is not the only pure form of carbon, C. Diamond is also carbon; the color comes from impurities caught within the crystal structure

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Halogens

Halogens all have 7 valence electrons

Halogens are never found pure in nature; they are too reactive

Halogens in their pure form are diatomic molecules (F2, Cl2, Br2, and I2)

Chlorine is a yellow-green poisonous gas

Slide 13

Noble Gases

Noble gases have 8 valence electrons (except helium, which has only 2)

Noble gases are ONLY found pure in nature – they are chemically unreactive

Colorless, odorless and unreactive; they were among the last of the natural elements to be discovered