Chemistry · Periodic trends in properties of elements: atomic and ionic radii, ionization enthalpy, electron gain enthalpy, valence, oxidation states and chemical reactivity
Which of the following non-metal is hard yet brittle?
Which of the following non-metal is hard yet brittle?
- A. Graphite
- B. Selenium
- C. sulphur
- D. Diamond
Step-by-step solution
Diamond is an allotrope of carbon and a non-metal. It is the hardest known natural material, yet it is brittle, meaning it can fracture or shatter under impact due to its crystalline structure. Graphite (A) is soft, selenium (B) is a metalloid that is brittle but not particularly hard, and sulfur (C) is brittle but soft. Thus, diamond is the correct choice.