Question

What are the similarities between Boron and Silicon?
A.) Both are non-metals
B.) High melting point
C.) Bad conductors of electricity
D.) All of these

Answer 1

Hint: Boron and silicon are diagonally opposite elements in the s-block. They possess a diagonal relationship between them.

Complete step by step answer:
Some pair of diagonally adjacent elements of s-block in the second and third periods of the periodic table exhibit similar properties. Most of the properties follow opposite trends when moving along a period and down a group. So, the changes more or less cancel each other out, and elements with similar properties can be found. On moving along a period, the elements become more covalent, more electronegative and less basic. On the other hand, on moving down a group, the elements become more ionic, less electronegative and more basic. So, the atomic radius, electronegativity, properties of compounds, etc. of the diagonal elements are similar. The properties of the elements of first-group second-period are often similar to the properties of the elements of second-group third-period.
Thus, boron and silicon have similar properties due to diagonal relationship. Some similar properties are:
Both boron and silicon have high melting and boiling points.
Both are bad conductors of electricity
Both are non-metals and do not form cations.
Both exist in crystalline and amorphous forms.

Hence, the correct answer is (D) All of these

Note: Some might consider diagonal relationship past B and Si too which is wrong. Practically, after B-Si pair the diagonal relationship becomes less dominant.