Metalloid

Metalloid is a term used in chemistry when classifying the chemical elements. A metalloid is an element that has properties in between, or that are a mixture of, those of metals and nonmetals, and which is therefore hard to classify as either a metal or a nonmetal. This is a generic definition that draws on metalloid attributes consistently cited in the literature.

Characteristics

Metalloids can be seen as a diagonal band of elements in the periodic table from boron to astatine. The elements classified as metalloids are boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, tellurium, and astatine.

Properties

Metalloids have properties of both metals and nonmetals. They can form alloys with metals. Most of their other physical and chemical properties are intermediate in nature. Metalloids are usually too brittle to have any structural uses. They are used in alloys, biological agents, catalysts, flame retardants, glasses, optical storage and optoelectronics, pyrotechnics, semiconductors, and electronics.

Applications

Metalloids are used in a variety of applications due to their unique properties. For example, silicon is used in semiconductors and computer chips, while boron is used in making strong, lightweight alloys for the aerospace industry.

See also

• Chemical element
• Periodic Table
• Metals
• Nonmetals

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