How does the number of valence electrons in atoms of metalloids explain why metalloids are semiconductors?

They have one or two valence electrons, so they cannot lose electrons easily.
They have one or two valence electrons, so they can lose or gain electrons.
They have three to six valence electrons, so they cannot lose electrons easily.
They have three to six valence electrons, so they can lose or gain electrons.

1 answer

They have three to six valence electrons, so they can lose or gain electrons.

Metalloids have properties in between metals and nonmetals due to having an intermediate number of valence electrons. This allows them to conduct electricity under certain conditions, making them semiconductors. By having three to six valence electrons, metalloids have the ability to either lose or gain electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, which is important for conducting electricity.