Which of the following is a common property of non-metals?

A common property of non-metals is that they tend to gain electrons in chemical reactions.

Non-metals are a group of elements on the periodic table that have certain characteristics in common. One of these characteristics is their tendency to gain electrons during chemical reactions.

Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit around the nucleus of an atom. Non-metals have a higher attraction for electrons compared to metals. This means that when non-metals come into contact with other elements, they have a greater likelihood of taking electrons from those elements.

This process of gaining electrons is called electron gainor electron capture. When non-metals gain electrons, they become negatively charged ions, also known as anions. This electron gain gives them stability and helps them achieve a full outer electron shell, similar to the noble gases.

The tendency of non-metals to gain electrons is an essential characteristic that distinguishes them from metals. Metals, on the other hand, tend to lose electrons during chemical reactions, leading to the formation of positively charged ions called cations.

Therefore, the property that matches the description is "Tend to gain electrons in chemical reactions," making it a common characteristic of non-metals.