Question

Which of the following elements is a metalloid?
A: $C$
B: $Ge$
C: $Bi$
D: $Sn$

Answer 1

Hint: An element is a pure substance that can’t be broken down by chemical means. A metalloid is an element that has properties of both metals and nonmetals. These elements are located in a diagonal region of the $p - $block.


Complete answer:
We know metalloids are the elements which show property of both metals and nonmetals. Metalloids generally have an appearance like metals but chemically they behave like non metals. These elements are brittle and a fair conductor of electricity. These elements form alloys with metals. These metals are $p - $block elements and present at diagonal of $p - $block. Commonly known metalloids are boron$\left( B \right)$, silicon$\left( {Si} \right)$, germanium$\left( {Ge} \right)$, arsenic$\left( {As} \right)$, antimony$\left( {Sb} \right)$ and tellurium$\left( {Te} \right)$. Among these elements only germanium$\left( {Ge} \right)$is given. So, the correct answer is option B that is$Ge$.

Additional information:
 Along with above stated six elements there are five other elements also that are metalloids but they are less commonly recognized. These elements are carbon$\left( C \right)$ , aluminium$\left( {Al} \right)$ , selenium$\left( {Se} \right)$ , polonium$\left( {Po} \right)$ and astatine$\left( {At} \right)$ . Semiconductor industry is based on silicon and germanium. These elements are usually used in making alloys. These are used as biological agents, catalysts, flame retardants, glasses and optical storage media. In periodic tables some of the elements adjacent to known metalloids are referred to as near-metalloids.

Note:
 Different crystalline forms of elements are called allotropes. Elements or ions having the same number of electrons are termed as isoelectronic species. Atoms of the same element having different mass numbers are called isotopes.