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Identify a metalloid from the following

-boron
-silicon
-germanium
-arsenic
-antimony
-tellurium

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Each element listed (boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, tellurium) is a metalloid, with silicon being widely used in electronics due to its semiconductor properties.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the elements boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, and tellurium, each one is considered a metalloid. Metalloids display properties that are intermediate between metals and nonmetals. They are known for their semiconductor behavior because they do not conduct electricity as well as metals due to their electrons being more tightly bound to their nuclei. The crystal structures of these elements vary, with silicon and germanium crystallizing with a diamond structure, where each atom is covalently bonded to four neighbors at the corners of a tetrahedron. Additionally, arsenic and antimony have a graphite-like layer structure, and tellurium forms spiral chains. In relation to their uses, silicon is extensively used in electronics, while borosilicates are known for their use in heat-resistant glassware.

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