[f1987]

I am confused by this question and would be grateful in anybody knows the correct answer.

Explain why the p-block is the only part of the periodic table that contains non-metals.

[Arkcon]

Explain why the p-block is the only part of the periodic table that contains non-metals.

Presumably, the answer to this question is in your textbook, or class notes.  A quick check of wikipedia confirms what I'd often heard -- that the definition of nonmetal is not very rigorous, so just asking the question without more qualifiers, will get us nowhere.

[f1987]

The answer definetly isnt in my notes and im having trouble finding a reasonable reason on the web also.

[elbeano]

I guess a good way to look at it is this. A metal is a metal because it can easily loose electrons from its valance shell and undergo metallic bonding. With metallic bonding comes alot of the properties we associate with metals.

Imagine positive metal ions in a sea of electrons which are free to move about but overall keep everything together.

To loose electrons easily the element needs a low electronegativity (the power of an atom to attract electrons) and generally needs only 1-3 valance electrons.

Electronegativity increases from left to right across the periodic table and decreases from top to bottom.

So the elements of the s-block only have 1 or 2 easily ionised electrons in their valence shell making metallic bonding relatively easy. As you go to the p-block with boron because of its position at the top of the periodic table it is more inclined to  hold on to its valence electrons.