Question

What is the only metalloid in period 3?

Answer 1

Hint: As we know that metalloids are the elements that have intermediate properties between those of metals and nonmetals. Metalloids are also known as semimetals or semiconductors. Here we are asked about the metalloid which lies in the $3^{rd}$ period of the periodic table.

Complete answer:
Let us first discuss about the metalloids:-
Metalloids: In chemistry, it is a term used to define a chemical element that forms a simple substance having properties intermediate between those of a typical metal and a typical non-metal element. This term is normally applied to a group of elements which includes boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, tellurium, and possibly bismuth, polonium, astatine which are found near the center of the p-block of the periodic table.
As we know that, there are eight elements in third period which are as follows:-
-Sodium (Na) is the alkali metal.
-Magnesium (Mg) is an alkaline earth metal.
-Aluminum (Al) is also a metal.
-Silicon (Si) is the semiconductor, or can say metalloid in the $3^{rd}$ period.
-Phosphorous (P), sulphur (S) and chlorine (Cl) are the non-metals.
-Argon (Ar) is the only noble gas in the $3^{rd}$ period.
From the above data we may conclude that Silicon (Si) is the only metalloid in period 3 of the periodic table.

Note:
- Silicon is a chemical element denoted by the symbol Si and has atomic number 14. This element is a hard, brittle crystalline solid with a blue-grey metallic lustre. It is a tetravalent metalloid.
-Silicon is extensively used in computer chips as well as in other electronic items because its electrical conductivity lies between that of a metal and a nonmetal.