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A metalloid is best defined as an element that:
Ahas properties that are completely identical to those of metals
Bhas properties between metals and nonmetals; it behaves as a semiconductor
Ccannot form any chemical compounds whatsoever under any conditions
Dexists only ever as a monatomic gas at any given temperature
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. has properties between metals and nonmetals; it behaves as a semiconductor
1. Metalloids sit in a diagonal band of the periodic table between the metals and the nonmetals.
2. The text defines them directly: "A metalloid is an element that has properties that are between those of metals and nonmetals; these elements are typically semiconductors."
3. So the defining feature of a metalloid is this intermediate metal/nonmetal character combined with semiconducting behaviour, not identical behaviour to metals or an inability to form compounds.
4. This is why metalloids like silicon are central to semiconductor electronics.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry Ch 18 "Representative Metals, Metalloids, and Nonmetals", p.964 §18.1 Periodicity_
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