Non-metal
An element that is usually dull, brittle when solid and a poor conductor. Non-metals sit on the right of the periodic table.
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Analogy
Non-metals are like people who prefer to collect electrons rather than give them away.
In practice
Sulfur is a yellow, brittle solid. It does not conduct electricity.
Questions people ask
Why are most non-metals poor conductors?
Non-metal atoms hold on to their electrons or share them in bonds, so there are no free electrons to carry charge. This makes them good insulators. Graphite, a form of carbon, is a famous exception because each carbon atom has a spare electron that can move.
Where is the line between metals and non-metals on the table?
A stepped line runs down the right-hand side of the periodic table. Metals lie to the left of it and non-metals to the right. Elements near the line, such as silicon, have properties in between. Hydrogen is a non-metal, even though it is placed at the top left.