metalloid
Between-element type
A metalloid is an element with properties intermediate between metals and nonmetals.
The classic examples—silicon, germanium, arsenic, boron—conduct electricity better than nonmetals but worse than true metals, making them essential to semiconductors.
The term reflects classification ambiguity: these elements don't fit neatly into either category.
Fifth element, symbol B
- siliconMetalloid in electronics
- germaniumAtomic number thirty-two
- arsenicToxic metalloid element
- antimonyBrittle metalloid, symbol Sb
tellurium · polonium · astatine · semimetal · periodic · nonmetal · intermediate · elemental
Conditionally permitting electrical flow
- brittleLiable to shatter
- lustrousSoftly bright, reflective
- amphotericReacts as acid or base
- crystallineClear, ordered, brilliant
intermediate · solid · conductivity · thermal · electronegativity · ionization · reactivity · sublimation
Edge of acceptability
- intermediateBetween two levels
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
- disputedArgued over, unresolved
- staircaseIndoor flight of steps
boundary · transition · hybrid · reclassified · contested · provisional
Partial electrical conductor
- transistorSemiconductor signal switch
- diodeOne-way semiconductor
- microchipMiniature semiconductor processor
- photovoltaicLight-to-electricity converting
fiber-optics · thermoelectric · rectifier · amplifier · doping · electronics · sensors
boron
Fifth element, symbol B
antimony · tellurium · polonium · astatine · semimetal · periodic · nonmetal · intermediate · elemental
semiconducting
Conditionally permitting electrical flow
- brittleLiable to shatter
- lustrousSoftly bright, reflective
- amphotericReacts as acid or base
crystalline · intermediate · solid · conductivity · thermal · electronegativity · ionization · reactivity · sublimation · allotropes
borderline
Edge of acceptability
- intermediateBetween two levels
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
- disputedArgued over, unresolved
staircase · boundary · transition · hybrid · reclassified · contested · provisional
semiconductor
Partial electrical conductor
- transistorSemiconductor signal switch
- diodeOne-way semiconductor
- microchipMiniature semiconductor processor
photovoltaic · fiber-optics · thermoelectric · rectifier · amplifier · doping · electronics · sensors
oxide
Oxygen-bonded compound
catalyst · reagent · substrate · hydride · halide · covalent · bonding · valence · electron · reaction
- chemistryatom, atoms, organic chemistry, molecule, chemistry
- element typesnonmetal, noble gas, halogen, alkaline earth, lanthanide
- atomic scienceatom, electron, proton, neutron, nucleus
- matter statessolid, liquid state, plasma, vapor, gaseous
- metallurgysmelting, refining, ferrite, alloys, annealing
- atomic propertiesatomic number, atomic mass, atomic weight, electronegativity, valence electrons
metalloidmetal
Hard conductive solid
nonmetal · noble gas · halogen · transition metal · lanthanide
metalloidconductor
One who directs musicians
insulator · metal · superconductor · nonconductor · nonmetal