Which of the following is a property of a non-metal?

• A. Poor conductor of electricity
• B. Shiny appearance
• C. High melting point
• D. Malleable and ductile

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the general properties of metals and non-metals. Metals typically have high electrical conductivity, shiny appearance, high melting points, and are malleable and ductile.
2. Step 2: Recognize that non-metals usually have opposite properties to metals. They tend to be poor conductors of electricity, have dull appearances, lower melting points, and are brittle rather than malleable or ductile.
3. Step 3: Analyze each option in the context of non-metal properties: 'Poor conductor of electricity' aligns with non-metal behavior, while 'Shiny appearance', 'High melting point', and 'Malleable and ductile' are characteristic of metals.
4. Step 4: Conclude that the property 'Poor conductor of electricity' correctly describes a non-metal.
5. Step 5: Remember that these distinctions are fundamental in chemistry for classifying elements and predicting their behavior in reactions and materials.