Humber Admissions Practice Test

What are metalloids?

1. Elements that are purely metals

2. Elements that have properties of both metals and nonmetals

3. Elements that can only form gases

4. Elements found only in compounds

The correct answer is: Elements that have properties of both metals and nonmetals

Metalloids are defined as elements that exhibit a combination of properties characteristic of both metals and nonmetals. This unique position in the periodic table allows metalloids to possess qualities such as semi-conductivity, making them valuable in applications like electronics and materials science. For instance, elements like silicon and germanium are well-known metalloids that play crucial roles in the technology sector due to their electrical conductivity that can be manipulated under certain conditions, akin to metals, while also displaying some nonmetal characteristics such as brittleness. The other options do not accurately reflect the nature of metalloids. Purely metallic elements do not capture the dual properties inherent in metalloids, and elements that exclusively form gases do not provide a comprehensive definition as metalloids can exist in solid form. As for elements found only in compounds, this too does not hold true since metalloids can exist in a pure elemental state. Thus, the recognition of metalloids as having mixed characteristics is essential for understanding their role in both chemistry and technology.