metalloid
Sign in to saveThe word metalloid comes from the Latin metallum ("metal") and the Greek oeidḗs ("resembling in form or appearance"). However, there is no standard definition of a metalloid and no complete agreement on which elements are metalloids. Despite the lack of specificity, the term remains in use in the literature.
AI overview
A metalloid is an element that has properties resembling those of metals, though the term lacks a precise scientific definition and experts don't agree on which elements qualify as metalloids. Despite this uncertainty, scientists continue to use the term in their work and publications.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Article
44 sectionsContents
- Definitions
- Judgment-based
- Criteria-based
- Periodic table territory
- Location
- Alternative treatments
- Properties
- Compared to metals and nonmetals
- Common applications
- Alloys
- Biological agents
- Catalysts
- Flame retardants
- Glass formation
- Optical storage and optoelectronics
- Pyrotechnics
- Semiconductors and electronics
- Nomenclature and history
- Derivation and other names
- Origin and usage
- Elements commonly recognised as metalloids
- Boron
- Silicon
- Germanium
- Arsenic
- Antimony
- Tellurium
- Elements less commonly recognised as metalloids
- Carbon
- Aluminium
- Selenium
- Polonium
- Astatine
- Related concepts
- Near metalloids
- Allotropes
- Abundance, extraction, and cost
- Abundance
- Extraction
- Cost
- Notes
- References
- Sources
- Further reading
The word metalloid comes from the Latin metallum ("metal") and the Greek oeidḗs ("resembling in form or appearance"). However, there is no standard definition of a metalloid and no complete agreement on which elements are metalloids. Despite the lack of specificity, the term remains in use in the literature.
The six commonly recognised metalloids are boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony and tellurium. Five elements are less frequently so classified: carbon, aluminium, selenium, polonium and astatine. On a standard periodic table, all eleven elements are in a diagonal region of the p-block extending from boron at the upper left to astatine at lower right. Some periodic tables include a dividing line between metals and nonmetals, and the metalloids may be found close to this line.