Which characteristic is typical of nonmetals?

Nonmetals are characterized by their tendency to gain electrons and form negative ions, known as anions. This property is fundamental to their behavior in chemical reactions, particularly in reactions with metals, which tend to lose electrons and form positive ions. Nonmetals, such as chlorine and oxygen, readily gain electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration similar to that of noble gases.

Additionally, nonmetals typically have lower melting points compared to metals, which are usually solid at room temperature with much higher melting points. Elements like oxygen and nitrogen are gases, while bromine is a liquid at room temperature, further illustrating the varied states and lower melting points of nonmetals compared to metals.

This understanding of nonmetals helps contextualize their behavior in various chemical environments and their properties when compared to metals. In contrast, the characteristics attributed to the other options do not align with the typical properties of nonmetals, as they primarily describe metallic features or other incorrect attributes.