Question

What does the bold stair step line on the periodic table mean?

Answer 1

Hint :The different colour used in the periodic table is used to separate metals from the semi conductors for example silicon and germanium and also non metals. Most of the elements in the periodic table are metals.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
The stair step line that we can see in the group $ 3 - 7 $ separates the elements and helps us identify if it is metal or nonmetals. When it comes to the stairs at the right side they are called as non metals. For example- carbon, chlorine, phosphorus, sulphur, etc. Non metals have the property or characteristic such as poor conductivity of heat and electricity. When we come towards the left we can see the presence of metals, for example boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, polonium, tellurium, antimony, etc. They have the property of malleability, have high melting point and are also known as good conductors of electricity. The stair steps are also known as metalloids having the characteristic of both metals and nonmetals They are known to be semi conductors of both heat and electricity and react as a metal or non metal which depends on the element they bond with.

Note :
The bold staircase that is present on the periodic table allows us to classify which of the following elements is metals, non metals, or metalloid. It acts like a divider that will allow us to distinguish the properties of the present element.