Which of these elements would most likely be a metalloid?

Get more with Examzify Plus

Remove ads, unlock favorites, save progress, and access premium tools across devices.

FavoritesSave progressAd-free
From $9.99Learn more

Study for the Ontario Grade 9 Destreamed Science Exam. Enhance your learning with multiple choice questions, hints, and detailed explanations. Be confident and ready for your science test!

Silicon is classified as a metalloid because it exhibits properties that are characteristic of both metals and nonmetals. In the periodic table, metalloids are typically found between metals and nonmetals, and they often have intermediate properties. Silicon, for instance, is a good conductor of electricity at certain temperatures, making it useful in electronic devices, while also being brittle like nonmetals. This unique combination of properties exemplifies what defines metalloids.

In contrast, sodium is a highly reactive metal, chlorine is a reactive nonmetal, and copper is a well-known metal with excellent conductivity. These elements do not share the intermediate characteristics that typify metalloids like silicon.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy