Final answer:
The elements located on the line between metals and nonmetals in the periodic table are called metalloids, which exhibit properties that are intermediate between the two categories, such as moderate heat and electrical conductivity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The elements that are situated along the line between metals and nonmetals in the periodic table are known as metalloids. This line can be visualized as a staircase starting from boron (element 5) and ending at astatine (element 85). Metalloids demonstrate properties that are intermediate between those of metals and nonmetals; they exhibit moderate heat and electrical conductivity. Classic examples of metalloids include boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, and tellurium. It's important to note that while aluminum and polonium are located near this dividing line, they are considered metals rather than metalloids.
Metals, nonmetals, and metalloids (or semi-metals) are the broad categories used to classify elements based on their physical and chemical properties. Metals are typically shiny, good conductors of heat and electricity, and malleable. Nonmetals, on the other hand, are often dull and poor conductors. Metalloids have a blend of these characteristics, which is why they are also referred to as semimetals. The recognition of these categories is essential in understanding the chemical reactivity and applications of different elements, for example, the utilization of silicon and germanium as semiconductors in electronics.