Question

Metalloids are present in ______.
(A) s-block
(B) p-block
(C) d-block
(D) f-block

Answer 1

Hint:Metalloids are present along the step like line in p block of periodic table. They have properties intermediate between metals and nonmetals. The p-block metals, and nonmetals can form alloys with metals or modify their properties have also occasionally been considered as metalloids.

Complete answer: Metalloids are present in the p block of periodic table because their properties lie in between metals and nonmetals. Metalloids consists of six to nine elements including Boron(B),Silicon (Si),Germanium (Ge),Arsenic (As),Antimony (Sb),Tellurium (Te),Polonium (Po) and Astatine (At), Extending from Boron at the upper left to Astatine at lower right. They are also called semimetals. Metalloids are solid in nature like metals but behave largely like nonmetals, having metallic in appearance with low elasticity and are very brittle. Metalloids are semiconductors of electricity. To identify a given element as metalloid we take its properties into consideration, if an element shows both metal and nonmetal characteristics can be detected, then that element is called metalloid and placed in the p block element. Here, metalloids: Boron(B),Silicon (Si),Germanium (Ge),Arsenic (As),Antimony (Sb),Tellurium (Te),Polonium (Po) and Astatine (At) shows both metallic and non-metallic characteristic in chemical and physical properties and are present in p-block.

Hence, option (B) is correct .

Note:Metalloid and their compounds are used as biological agents, catalyst (e.g.- Boron trifluoride, trichloride), optical storage, glasses, semiconductors etc. They form amphoteric oxides. There is no precise criteria or definition to differentiate elements as metalloids.