Which of the following is a property of nonmetals?

• A. They are malleable and ductile.
• B. They have a shiny, metallic luster.
• C. They tend to lose electrons to form cations.
• D. They are poor conductors of electricity.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that properties of elements are generally categorized into metals, nonmetals, and metalloids based on their physical and chemical characteristics.
2. Recall that metals are typically malleable and ductile, meaning they can be hammered into sheets and drawn into wires, whereas nonmetals are usually brittle and not malleable.
3. Recognize that metals have a shiny, metallic luster, while nonmetals often have a dull appearance and lack metallic luster.
4. Know that metals tend to lose electrons to form positive ions (cations), whereas nonmetals tend to gain electrons to form negative ions (anions) or share electrons in covalent bonds.
5. Identify that a key property of nonmetals is that they are poor conductors of electricity, which contrasts with metals that are good conductors.