Question

What can you conclude about the classification of silicon?

A) Silicon is a noble gas and has a full valence electron shell, is chemically non-reactive, colorless, odorless, and is a gas at room temperature.
B) Silicon is a metal and is shiny, malleable, ductile, conducts heat and electricity, forms basic oxides, and forms cations in aqueous solution.
C) Silicon is a nonmetal and is dull, brittle, poor conductor of heat and electricity, forms acidic oxides, and forms anions in aqueous solution.
D) Silicon is a metalloid and has properties of both metals and nonmetals - it appears lustrous, but is brittle and a poor conductor of heat and electricity.

Consider the element sodium. Its atomic number is __________ and equals ___________.
A) 11; the number of protons
B) 12; the number of neutrons
C) 23; the sum of protons and neutrons
D) 23; the number of electrons

Answer 1

Silicon is classified as a metalloid because it has properties of both metals and nonmetals.

Step-by-step explanation:

Silicon is classified as a metalloid. Metalloids are elements with properties intermediate between those of metals and nonmetals. Silicon has some characteristics of a metal, such as being shiny, but it also has properties of a nonmetal, such as being brittle and a poor conductor of heat and electricity.