What property do nonmetals typically exhibit?

Nonmetals are known for their high reactivity, particularly when compared to metals. This property is largely due to their tendency to gain or share electrons during chemical reactions, which allows them to easily form compounds. For example, nonmetals such as chlorine, oxygen, and nitrogen are quite reactive, participating readily in various chemical reactions to achieve a stable electron configuration.

While some nonmetals can be reactive, the concept of reactivity varies among them—some, like noble gases, are relatively unreactive, but in general, many nonmetals, particularly halogens, exhibit high reactivity. It's this characteristic that sets them apart from metals, which are typically less reactive due to their tendency to lose electrons rather than gain or share them.

The other properties listed—high electrical conductivity, good malleability, and opacity in color—are characteristics more closely associated with metals. Metals are known for their ability to conduct electricity well, their malleability which allows them to be hammered into thin sheets, and they usually exhibit metallic luster, making them opaque. Nonmetals, in contrast, often have poor electrical conductivity, are brittle rather than malleable, and can be transparent or translucent, depending on the element.