Question

What are metalloids? Give two examples.
Metals are malleable. What does it mean?

Answer 1

Hint: We must know about the word metalloids. Metalloids are elements which have properties in between metal and non-metal. Metal can be beaten and drawn into sheets and wires, therefore, it is malleable and ductile.


Complete step by step solution:
 Let’s start with what are metalloids? Well, metalloids are a group of elements which are neither metal or nonmetal. These elements form a zigzag line in a periodic table which distinguishes between the metal and non-metals. These elements have properties which are intermediate between the metals and non-metals. Metalloids are good semiconductors along with electronegativity situated between the metals and non-metals.
Two examples of metalloids are Silicon \[\left( {Si} \right)\] atomic number 14 and Germanium \[\left( {Ge} \right)\] atomic number 33.
Metals are malleable; Malleable means ability of a substance to be beaten into a thin sheet or some other shape. How come metals are malleable? Well, the atoms of metal are able to slide over one another so, when they are beaten the atoms of metal slide over to a low pressure area and form a thin sheet or some other shape. Due to this we can say that metals are malleable in nature. Let’s take the example of iron; we have seen many things made out of iron. Iron stools, iron benches, iron sheets, swings, windows, etc. all these things are possible because iron is malleable in nature.

Note: We must understand that the metalloids are semi-metal. The property of metalloids is strange. Because it looks like metal but it has chemical behaviour as non-metal. We can use metalloids in electrical components because of its semiconductor property. For example, we can use silicon to make computer electrical components. Also we can use metalloids for fireworks, cleaning, cosmetics etc.