Here's why:
* Nonmetals are generally found on the right side of the periodic table. They tend to have:
* Low conductivity: They don't conduct heat or electricity well.
* Brittle: They break easily rather than bend.
* Gases or solids at room temperature: Most nonmetals are gases (like oxygen and nitrogen), but some are solids (like sulfur).
While these three elements share the characteristic of being nonmetals, they also belong to specific groups within the periodic table:
* Oxygen: Group 16 (also known as the chalcogens)
* Nitrogen: Group 15 (also known as the pnictogens)
* Sulfur: Group 16 (also known as the chalcogens)
