metalloids
Between metals, nonmetals
Metalloids are chemical elements with properties intermediate between metals and nonmetals.
The classic examples—boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, tellurium—conduct electricity better than nonmetals but worse than metals, making them essential in semiconductors.
The category's boundaries are somewhat fuzzy; different classification schemes include or exclude borderline elements like polonium or astatine.
Metalloid in electronics
- boronFifth element, symbol B
- germaniumAtomic number thirty-two
- arsenicToxic metalloid element
- antimonyBrittle metalloid, symbol Sb
tellurium · polonium · astatine · borderline · staircase · periodic table · atomic number · valence electrons
Conditionally permitting electrical flow
- amphotericReacts as acid or base
- brittleLiable to shatter
- lustrousSoftly bright, reflective
- crystallineClear, ordered, brilliant
electronegativity · nonmetallic · allotropes · solid-state · covalent bonding
Thin crystalline discs for circuits
- transistorsSemiconductor switching devices
- diodesOne-way current components
- integrated circuitsMiniaturized electronic components on semiconductor
- microchipsMiniature electronic processors
doping · n-type · p-type · photovoltaics · solar cells · LEDs · rectifiers · amplifiers
Tiny circuit component engineering
- nanotechnologyAtomic-scale manipulation science
- solar panelsLight-converting power generators
- flame retardantsChemicals blocking combustion spread
- semiconductorsPartially conductive materials
Outermost electrons determining reactivity
- compoundsBonded element substances
- reactivityTendency to chemically combine
- catalysisAccelerating reactions without consumption
- stoichiometryQuantitative chemical reaction analysis
polymorphism · crystallography · thermoelectric · electronegativity · bonding · hydrides · halides · oxides
Transparent solid from sand
- ceramicsHardened clay objects
- fiber opticsLight-carrying cable technology
- silicaSilicon dioxide compound
- quartzCrystalline silicon dioxide
alloys · borosilicate · insulation · abrasives · refractory · glazes
silicon
Metalloid in electronics
antimony · tellurium · polonium · astatine · borderline · staircase · periodic table · atomic number · valence electrons · periodicity
semiconducting
Conditionally permitting electrical flow
- amphotericReacts as acid or base
- brittleLiable to shatter
- lustrousSoftly bright, reflective
crystalline · electronegativity · nonmetallic · allotropes · solid-state · covalent bonding
silicon wafers
Thin crystalline discs for circuits
- transistorsSemiconductor switching devices
- diodesOne-way current components
- integrated circuitsMiniaturized electronic components on semiconductor
microchips · doping · n-type · p-type · photovoltaics · solar cells · LEDs · rectifiers · amplifiers · thermistors
microelectronics
Tiny circuit component engineering
- nanotechnologyAtomic-scale manipulation science
- solar panelsLight-converting power generators
- flame retardantsChemicals blocking combustion spread
semiconductors · pyrotechnics · pigments · infrared detectors · fiber optics
valence electrons
Outermost electrons determining reactivity
- compoundsBonded element substances
- reactivityTendency to chemically combine
- catalysisAccelerating reactions without consumption
stoichiometry · polymorphism · crystallography · thermoelectric · electronegativity · bonding · hydrides · halides · oxides
glass
Transparent solid from sand
- ceramicsHardened clay objects
- fiber opticsLight-carrying cable technology
- silicaSilicon dioxide compound
quartz · alloys · borosilicate · insulation · abrasives · refractory · glazes
- chemistryatom, atoms, organic chemistry, molecule, chemistry
- Periodic Table HistoryMendeleev, atomic number, Meyer, transuranic elements, Glenn Seaborg
- element groupshalogens, noble gases, lanthanides, actinides, rare earth elements
- periodic tableperiodic table, elements, hydrogen, helium, carbon
- elementsoxygen, hydrogen, carbon, helium, nitrogen
- element propertiesatomic number, atomic mass, atomic weight, symbol, electronegativity
metalloidsmetals
Lustrous conductive elements
nonmetals · alkali metals · noble gases · halogens · transition metals
metalloidsconductors
Those who direct ensembles
insulators · electrical conductors · superconductors · metals · dielectrics