Malik analyzed three samples to test which element was a metalloid. The table shows his results.

Question

A 7-column table with 3 rows. The first column titled element has entries A, B, C. The second column titled lustrous has entries yes, no, yes. The third column titled brittle has entries no, yes, yes. The fourth column titled how it reacts has entries base, acid, acid or base. The fifth column titled boiling point (degrees C) has entries not observed, negative 34.04, not observed. The sixth column titled melting point (degrees C) has entries 97.72, not observed, 1413.85. The seventh column titled electrical conductivity has entries high, very low, medium.

Which element (A, B, or C) is most likely a metalloid?

Answer 1

To determine which element is most likely a metalloid, we can analyze the characteristics of typical metalloids:

1. Lustrous: Metalloids usually have a shiny appearance (lustrous).
2. Brittle: Metalloids are often brittle, unlike metals, which are malleable.
3. Reactivity: Metalloids can react with acids or bases, displaying a range of reactivity.
4. Electrical Conductivity: Metalloids have intermediate electrical conductivity, which is between that of metals and nonmetals.

Now, let's analyze each element based on these criteria:

• Element A:

  • Lustrous: Yes
  • Brittle: No
  • Reacts: Base
  • Electrical Conductivity: High

• Element B:

  • Lustrous: No
  • Brittle: Yes
  • Reacts: Acid
  • Electrical Conductivity: Very low

• Element C:

  • Lustrous: Yes
  • Brittle: Yes
  • Reacts: Acid or Base
  • Electrical Conductivity: Medium

Based on the analysis:

• Element A is lustrous but not brittle, and it has high conductivity, which aligns more with metals.
• Element B is brittle but not lustrous, has very low conductivity, and reacts with acids, which is more characteristic of nonmetals.
• Element C is both lustrous and brittle, reacts with either acid or base, and has medium conductivity. This matches the typical characteristics of a metalloid.

Therefore, Element C is most likely the metalloid.