epämetalleiksi

Epämetalleiksi is a Finnish term referring to nonmetals. Nonmetals are a group of chemical elements that lack the properties of metals, such as high electrical and thermal conductivity, malleability, and ductility. They typically exist as gases, liquids, or brittle solids at room temperature.

The common nonmetals include hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, selenium, and the halogens (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine) and noble gases (helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon). These elements occupy a distinct region on the periodic table, generally to the upper right.

In chemical reactions, nonmetals tend to gain electrons to form negative ions (anions) or share electrons to form covalent bonds. Their compounds with metals are often ionic, while their compounds with other nonmetals are typically covalent. Nonmetals play vital roles in organic chemistry and are fundamental components of living organisms, forming the backbone of molecules like proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. Their diverse properties and behaviors make them essential for a wide range of industrial applications, from semiconductors to pharmaceuticals.