Competency #6
Answer and Explanation
This element is most likely a non-metal.
Solid at room temperature. While it is true that most metals are solid at room temperature, there are also non-metals and metalloids that are solid at room temperature, so this does not really help us narrow it down.
Poor conductor of heat and electricity. All elements have some ability (even if very small) to conduct heat and electricity. Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity, so now we know it is definitely not a metal. Non-metals are generally considered poor conductors of heat and electricity, with metalloids having moderate levels of thermal and electrical conductivity. This leads us to conclude that our element is probably a non-metal.
Forms negative ions. Elements with a high electronegativity are the ones that will tend to gain electrons and form negative ions. The elements with the highest electronegativity are in the upper right hand portion of the table. This is where the non-metals are located. This is further evidence that Atom Bond has discovered a non-metal.
Alternate explanation: Elements on the right side of the periodic table (excluding the noble gases) have nearly full outer shells. Since their shells are nearly full, they tend to gain electron(s) and become negatively charged ions. This agrees with our conclusion above that Atom Bond's has discovered a non-metal.