Question

The elements silicon, germanium and arsenic are called metalloids.

• A. True
• B. False

Answer 1

The correct option is A True

Silicon configuration - $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^2$.

Here to get stable octet configuration silicon has to either accept 4 electrons or donate 4 electrons. Hence it can act as either metal or non-metal. We have

Germanium and Arsenic has outermost electronic configuration $4s^{2}4p^2$ and $4s^{2}4p^3$.

As these have the same tendencies to accept or donate electrons easily, these elements come under the category of metalloids. Hence given statement is true.