Question

Question 9

Substances that conduct an electric current only under certain conditions are most likely to be ______.


A)metals

B)nonmetals

C)metalloids

D)noble gases

Answer 1

Metalloids

Step-by-step explanation:

Metalloids have intermediate properties between metals and no metals. Some of these elements (silicon, germanium, boron, etc) are important in the industry because they are use as semiconductors. Metalloids have enough empty electron orbitals, for this electrons can be moved to conduct electric current. Metalloids can behave as metals when they are heated or when small quantities of some other elements are introduced into their crystalline structure.

Answer 2

The substance is C) Metalloids.

Step-by-step explanation:

Metalloids are semiconductors since they are neither great nor poor conductors of electricity as they conduct it only under certain conditions.

Due to presence of free electron in the atomic structures of metals, they are considered as best as well as good conductors of electricity. On the other hand, due to absence of free electron, they cannot conduct electricity thus nonmetals are poor conduits of electricity.

Metalloids have the properties of the two nonmetals and metals. Their electronic structures are moderate between those of metals and nonmetals. Thus, they have the ability to direct electricity only under some conditions.