Question

Give reason why Silicon is a metalloid.

Answer 1

Metalloids

• It is a term used for an element that fall somewhere between those of a conventional metal and a typical nonmetal.
• Metalloids are a small group of elements founds in the periodic table of elements along the zigzag line that distinguishes metals from non-metals .
• They do not gain or loose electron infact they share electrons to become stable.

Silicon

• Silicon has atomic number of 14 which means it has 14 electrons.
• So, Electronic configuration of Silicon

${\mathrm{Si}}_{14}=\underset{\mathrm{K}}{2},\underset{\mathrm{L}}{8},\underset{\mathrm{M}}{4}$

• So, to achieve inert gas configuration Silicon will share 4 electrons. So, it does not acquire positive (metal) or negative charge (non-metal) on it and behaves like metalloids.
• It belongs to group 14 of modern periodic table.