Metals generally are good conductors of electricity, and nonmetals are not.
Water
yes
no
Insulators are typically nonmetals because they have high electrical resistance and do not conduct electricity well. Metals are good conductors of electricity, while metalloids have properties that are intermediate between metals and nonmetals.
nonmetals
Among the elements, nonmetals are generally the least like others in their ability to conduct heat and electricity. Unlike metals, which are good conductors due to the presence of free-moving electrons, nonmetals typically lack this property and are poor conductors. For example, while metals like copper and aluminum conduct electricity well, nonmetals such as sulfur and phosphorus do not. This fundamental difference sets nonmetals apart from the conductive behavior of metals.
Nonmetals such as sulfur, phosphorus, and iodine are unable to conduct electricity because they lack free-moving electrons in their atomic structure. This results in these nonmetals being poor conductors of electricity.
Metalloids have an intermediate ability to conduct heat and electricity, falling between metals and nonmetals. They have some metallic properties, such as being able to conduct electricity to some extent, but not as effectively as pure metals. Their ability to conduct heat and electricity can vary depending on the specific metalloid.
Most nonmetals do not have electrical conductivity because they lack the free electrons required to conduct electricity. However, some nonmetals like graphite and silicon can conduct electricity to some extent due to their unique structures.
The group of elements that do not conduct electricity are generally called non metals.
Metalloids can conduct heat and electricity when they are in their solid state. They have properties that are intermediate between metals and nonmetals, allowing them to exhibit some degree of electrical and thermal conductivity under certain conditions.
nonmetals