Is a gas that does not conduct electricity a metal or a nonmetal?

Answer 1

The gas phase of matter (where the atoms or molecules are far apart) is usually a poorer conductor than the solid or liquid phases no matter what element the gas is made from. The conductivity of a metal is imbued by the fact that in the solid or liquid states the metallic elements have electrons that are free to pass from atom to atom (to flow). When these atoms are separated one from another (as in a gas) the electrons can not do this. Thus you can not tell if a gas is made from a metal simply on the basis of its electrical conductivity.

Answer 2

Mercury can be a gas, and it is very reactive as a gas. Non metal.