Question

State the common characteristic of the following elements: Boron, Silicon, Germanium and Arsenic

Answer 1

Metalloids

1. The common characteristic of the following elements, Boron, Silicon, Germanium and Arsenicis, is that they have the properties of metals and non-metals called metalloids.
2. These elements look metallic, they do not conduct electricity as well as metals so they are semiconductors.
3. Metalloids are brittle somewhat shiny substances that are usually solid at ambient temperatures.
4. These elements usually have intermediate to fairly strong electrical conductivity.
5. These elements are known to have electronic band structures that are similar to semi-metals or semiconductors.
6. These elements usually act as non-metals.

Therefore, the common characteristic between Boron, Silicon, Germanium and Arsenic are that they are metalloids.