In chemistry, the term non-metals is used when describing the elements in the periodic table. All elements are classified as metals, non-metals, or metalloids (a mix of metals and non-metals)

¤ 18 elements of the periodic table are considered non-metals, compared to the 80 + metals ¤ non-metals make up of the Earth’s environ- ment, including it surface (crust), atmos- phere, etc. ¤ non-metals can become similar to metals when large pressure is applied

§ poor conductors of heat + electricity § when solid, they are brittle, and break easily § luster is usually dull § lower densities, boiling/melting points (than metals)

The Earth’s surface is made of mostly non -metals. The window which you look through, your credit card, car tires, are all composed or contain non-metals. Elements like carbon, which is used in coal, oxygen, which we breath, hydrogen, which bonds with oxygen to produce the water we drink, are all non-metals.

 all elements classified as metals, non-metals, metalloids  18 non-metals, 80+ metals within periodic table  makes up more of Earth’s environment  are brittle, dull in luster, poor conductors  elements like oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen which are essential in our daily life are non- metals