What is the common physical state of non-metals at room temperature?

Non-metals are a diverse group of elements with varying physical properties. At room temperature, many non-metals exist in the gaseous state, which is a significant characteristic of this group. For example, elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen are all non-metals that are gases at room temperature.

While some non-metals, like sulfur and phosphorus, can be found in solid form at room temperature, the most common non-metals, particularly the diatomic ones like oxygen and nitrogen, are gaseous. This reflects the overall trend in the group of non-metals. The gaseous state is also essential for processes like respiration, where oxygen is required by living organisms.

Thus, recognizing that a majority of non-metals exist as gases supports the understanding of their behavior and significance in both chemical reactions and biological systems.