Non-metals are _________.

Options

A. generally liquids
B. gases
C. generally solids and gases
D. generally gases and liquids

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Non-Metals**: Non-metals are elements that generally lack the properties of metals. They can exist in different states: solid, liquid, or gas.

2. **Identifying Solid Non-Metals**: Some non-metals are found in a solid state. Examples include:
- Boron
- Carbon
- Phosphorus
- Sulfur

3. **Identifying Liquid Non-Metals**: There is only one non-metal that exists in a liquid state at room temperature:
- Bromine

4. **Identifying Gaseous Non-Metals**: Several non-metals exist as gases. Examples include:
- Nitrogen
- Oxygen
- Fluorine
- Chlorine

5. **Conclusion**: Based on the states of non-metals, we can summarize that non-metals are generally found in solid and gaseous states, with bromine being the only liquid non-metal.

6. **Final Answer**: Therefore, the correct option is C: Non-metals are generally solids and gases.

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