
Which one of the following is a metalloid?
(A) Bi
(B) C
(C) Ge
(D) Pb
Answer
493.2k+ views
Hint: To solve this question try to refer to the electronic configuration of the given elements and then try to distinguish whether the element is a metal, a nonmetal or a metalloid.
Complete answer:
We have been provided with elements: Bi, C, Ge and Pb,
And we need to find the metalloid among these,
So, for that first we will talk about the metals, nonmetals and metalloids,
Metals: We know that metals have a shiny appearance, they are hard, are good conductors of heat and electricity, form basic oxide and can donate electrons.
Non-metals: when we talk about non-metals, they have some opposite properties from that of metals, as they are soft, don’t have a shiny surface, are not a good conductor of heat and electricity, form acidic oxide and accept electrons.
Metalloid: they are the chemical element which has both the properties of metals and non-metals,
The first element is Bi that is bismuth with the atomic number 83,
So, the electronic configuration of Bismuth would be: ,
Also, bismuth has a shiny surface and a yellowish tinge, forms a basic oxide,
From which we can say that bismuth is a metal.
The next element that we have is C that is carbon with atomic number 6,
So, the electronic configuration of carbon would be: ,
Also, carbon forms covalent bonds, acidic oxides, it is non-malleable and ductile and it is soft in the form of graphite,
From which we can say that carbon is a non-metal.
The next element that we have Ge that is germanium with the atomic number 32,
So, the electronic configuration of germanium would be: ,
Also, germanium is a semiconductor as it has electrical conductivity between insulator and conductor, it does not react with oxygen, it is stable in air and water, it is hard, lustrous, grey-white, brittle,
From which we can say that germanium is a metalloid.
The last element which we have is Pb that is lead with atomic number 82,
So, the electronic configuration of lead would be: ,
Also, lead is highly malleable, ductile, form basic oxide,
From which we can say that lead is a metal.
So, from all this we can say that out of all these germanium is a metalloid,
From this we can conclude that the correct option is (C).
Note:
The best way of finding that the given element is metalloid is to first refer to its properties so that we can find if there is any element which resembles properties of both metal and non-metal.
Complete answer:
We have been provided with elements: Bi, C, Ge and Pb,
And we need to find the metalloid among these,
So, for that first we will talk about the metals, nonmetals and metalloids,
Metals: We know that metals have a shiny appearance, they are hard, are good conductors of heat and electricity, form basic oxide and can donate electrons.
Non-metals: when we talk about non-metals, they have some opposite properties from that of metals, as they are soft, don’t have a shiny surface, are not a good conductor of heat and electricity, form acidic oxide and accept electrons.
Metalloid: they are the chemical element which has both the properties of metals and non-metals,
The first element is Bi that is bismuth with the atomic number 83,
So, the electronic configuration of Bismuth would be:
Also, bismuth has a shiny surface and a yellowish tinge, forms a basic oxide,
From which we can say that bismuth is a metal.
The next element that we have is C that is carbon with atomic number 6,
So, the electronic configuration of carbon would be:
Also, carbon forms covalent bonds, acidic oxides, it is non-malleable and ductile and it is soft in the form of graphite,
From which we can say that carbon is a non-metal.
The next element that we have Ge that is germanium with the atomic number 32,
So, the electronic configuration of germanium would be:
Also, germanium is a semiconductor as it has electrical conductivity between insulator and conductor, it does not react with oxygen, it is stable in air and water, it is hard, lustrous, grey-white, brittle,
From which we can say that germanium is a metalloid.
The last element which we have is Pb that is lead with atomic number 82,
So, the electronic configuration of lead would be:
Also, lead is highly malleable, ductile, form basic oxide,
From which we can say that lead is a metal.
So, from all this we can say that out of all these germanium is a metalloid,
From this we can conclude that the correct option is (C).
Note:
The best way of finding that the given element is metalloid is to first refer to its properties so that we can find if there is any element which resembles properties of both metal and non-metal.
Latest Vedantu courses for you
Grade 11 Science PCM | CBSE | SCHOOL | English
CBSE (2025-26)
School Full course for CBSE students
₹41,848 per year
Recently Updated Pages
Master Class 11 Business Studies: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Master Class 11 Economics: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Master Class 11 Accountancy: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Master Class 11 Computer Science: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Master Class 11 English: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Master Class 11 Maths: Engaging Questions & Answers for Success

Trending doubts
The flightless birds Rhea Kiwi and Emu respectively class 11 biology CBSE

1 Quintal is equal to a 110 kg b 10 kg c 100kg d 1000 class 11 physics CBSE

A car travels 100 km at a speed of 60 kmh and returns class 11 physics CBSE

What is 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p class 11 chemistry CBSE

In tea plantations and hedge making gardeners trim class 11 biology CBSE

A difference between diffusion and osmosis is a A semipermeable class 11 chemistry CBSE
