Most nonmetals are found in a gaseous state at room temperature. However, some nonmetals, like sulfur and phosphorus, are solid, while bromine is a liquid.
This characteristic is largely due to the nature of nonmetals themselves. Nonmetals have higher electronegativities and ionization energies compared to metals, which influences their atomic structure and bonding capabilities. For instance, the majority of nonmetals exist as diatomic molecules (like nitrogen and oxygen) or as molecular solids (like sulfur).
In summary, while many nonmetals are gases at room temperature, they can also exist in solid and liquid states depending on their specific properties and the environmental conditions.