All these nonmetals are located on the upper right corner of the Periodic table (Hydrogen is located in the left top corner). Electricity and heat can travel through metalloids but not as easily as they travel through metals. How many nonmetals are there on the Periodic table There are 18 nonmetals on the Periodic table. They can be shiny or dull and their shape is easily changed. The shape of nonmetals cannot be changed easily because they are brittle and will break.Įlements that have properties of both metals and nonmetals are called metalloids. As compared to metals, they have low density and will melt at low temperatures. Their surface is dull and they don’t conduct heat and electricity. Nonmetals, on the right side of the periodic table, are very different from metals. Heat and electricity travel easily through metals, which is why it is not wise to stand next to a flagpole during a thunderstorm! Six of these elements belong to the family of rare gases in Group VIIIA, most of which are virtually inert to chemical reactions. Metals will corrode, gradually wearing away, like rusting iron. Their shape can be easily changed into thin wires or sheets without breaking. They are usually shiny, very dense, and only melt at high temperatures. The periodic table on the left separates elements into three groups: the metals (green in the table), nonmetals (orange), and metalloids (blue). The nonmetals are a group of elements located on the right side of the periodic table (except for hydrogen, which is on the top left). What's a molecule? Metals, Nonmetals, & Metalloids