Question If you have an unknown material that is a brittle solid and semiconductive, what kind of substance would it be?

A brittle solid that is semiconductive could potentially be one of several materials. Some possibilities include:

1. Silicon (Si): This is the most commonly used semiconductor, and while it is not particularly brittle in its bulk form, it can be brittle when processed into wafers.

2. Gallium arsenide (GaAs): This is a compound semiconductor that exhibits both brittleness and semiconductive properties. It is often used in optoelectronic devices.

3. Zinc oxide (ZnO): This is another example of a semiconducting material that can be brittle, particularly in its crystalline form.

4. Cadmium telluride (CdTe): This is used in photovoltaic cells and has semiconductor properties along with some brittleness.

5. Tin oxide (SnO₂): Known for its semiconducting properties, it can also be brittle in solid form.

Overall, the specific identity would depend on additional properties and characteristics such as electrical conductivity, bandgap energy, and the application context.