An element with properties between metals and nonmetals is known as a

• A. Metals
• B. Nonmetals
• C. Metalloids
• D. Covalent

Answer: (C)

Metalloids are elements with properties between metals and nonmetals. They sit along the dividing line on the periodic table and blend characteristics: they can be shiny like metals yet brittle like nonmetals, and their ability to conduct electricity is intermediate and highly dependent on conditions such as temperature or doping. This makes them excellent semiconductors, used widely in electronics. Examples include boron, silicon, and germanium. The other descriptors describe metals (which are highly conductive and malleable), nonmetals (typically poor conductors and not lustrous), or covalent (a type of bond, not a category of element), so they don’t capture the mixed nature of these elements.