Is Krypton a Metal or Nonmetal? (+ 3 Facts You Should Know)

Krypton is a nonmetal. Krypton is a member of the noble gas family, which also includes helium, neon, argon, xenon, and radon. Noble gases are classified as nonmetals because they lack the properties of metals. ¹

Well, this was just a simple answer. But there are few more things to know about this topic which will make your concept super clear.

So let’s dive right into it.

Explanation: Why is krypton a nonmetal?

Krypton is a nonmetal because it lacks the typical physical and chemical properties associated with metals, such as malleability, ductility, and metallic luster. 

It also has a relatively low melting and boiling point, and does not conduct electricity or heat very well. These characteristics are in contrast to those of metals, which are typically shiny, ductile, and conductive. ²

Krypton’s electron configuration places it within the noble gas group on the periodic table, which is known for its inertness and lack of reactivity. This, along with its nonmetallic properties, makes krypton a nonmetal. ³

Properties of krypton that classify it as a nonmetal

Krypton is a noble gas and is classified as a nonmetal due to the following properties:

• Lack of metallic luster: Krypton, like other nonmetals, does not have the shiny, reflective appearance of metals. Instead, it appears as a colorless, odorless gas. ⁴
• Poor conductor of heat and electricity: Nonmetals typically have low thermal and electrical conductivity, and krypton is no exception. It does not conduct heat or electricity well.
• Low melting and boiling points: Nonmetals generally have lower melting and boiling points than metals, and krypton has a very low boiling point (-153.4 °C) and a very low melting point (-157.4 °C). ⁵
• Non-malleable and non-ductile: Unlike metals, nonmetals like krypton cannot be hammered into thin sheets or drawn into wires.
• Brittle: Krypton is a gas, so it cannot be described as brittle. However, some solid nonmetals can be brittle, meaning they break or shatter easily when subjected to stress or pressure.
• Tendency to gain electrons: Nonmetals typically have a higher electron affinity than metals and tend to gain electrons when they react with other elements. ⁶ Krypton, as a noble gas, is inert and does not react with other elements.

Overall, these properties demonstrate that krypton lacks the characteristic properties of metals and instead has more in common with other nonmetals.

How is krypton different from other nonmetals?

Krypton is different from other nonmetals in several ways:

• It is a noble gas: Krypton is a member of the noble gas family, which are generally unreactive and do not readily form compounds with other elements. This sets it apart from most other nonmetals, which tend to be more reactive.
• It has a closed-shell electron configuration: Krypton has a full outer electron shell with eight electrons, which gives it greater stability and less reactivity compared to other nonmetals that have partially filled outer shells.
• It is a gas at room temperature: Unlike some other nonmetals, such as sulfur and phosphorus, krypton is a gas at room temperature. This is due to its relatively low boiling point and high vapor pressure, which means it exists as a gas under normal conditions.
• It has limited practical uses: While other nonmetals like carbon and nitrogen have numerous practical applications in industry and technology, krypton has relatively limited uses. It is mainly used in lighting, such as in high-intensity discharge lamps, and in certain types of photographic flashes. ^{7 8}

Further reading

Is Rubidium a Metal?
Is Strontium a Metal or Nonmetal?
Is Silver a Metal or Nonmetal?
Is Cadmium a Metal?
Is Tin a Metal or Nonmetal?

1. Group 18: Properties of Nobel Gases. (2015, May 18). Chemistry LibreTexts. https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Inorganic_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_and_Websites_(Inorganic_Chemistry)/Descriptive_Chemistry/Elements_Organized_by_Block/2_p-Block_Elements/Group_18%3A_The_Noble_Gases/1Group_18%3A_Properties_of_Nobel_Gases
2. Properties of metals – Metallic structure and bonding – Eduqas – GCSE Chemistry (Single Science) Revision – Eduqas – BBC Bitesize. (n.d.). BBC Bitesize. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z9m6v9q/revision/2
3. C&EN: IT’S ELEMENTAL: THE PERIODIC TABLE – THE NOBLE GASES. (n.d.). C&EN: IT’S ELEMENTAL: THE PERIODIC TABLE – THE NOBLE GASES. https://pubsapp.acs.org/cen/80th/print/noblegases.html
4. P. (n.d.). Krypton | Kr (Element) – PubChem. Krypton | Kr (Element) – PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/element/Krypton
5. Krypton – American Chemical Society. (2018, December 3). American Chemical Society. https:///molecule-of-the-week/archive/k/krypton.html
6. Lecture 12: Chemical Bonding. (n.d.). Lecture 12: Chemical Bonding. http://butane.chem.uiuc.edu/cyerkes/chem102aefa07/lecture_notes_102/lecture%2012%20.htm
7. Shuaibov, A. K., Minya, A. I., Gomoki, Z. T., Kalyuzhnaya, A. G., & Shchedrin, A. I. (2010, August). Ultraviolet gas-discharge lamp on iodine molecules. Technical Physics, 55(8), 1222–1225. https://doi.org/10.1134/s1063784210080232
8. It’s Elemental – The Element Krypton. (n.d.). It’s Elemental – the Element Krypton. https://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele036.html