Question

Which of the following property is not a similarity between Boron and silicon?

(a) metals

(b) non-metals metals

(c) semiconductors

(d) formation of covalent hydrides

This question was posed to me during an interview.

Enquiry is from p-Block Elements in section p-Block Elements of Chemistry – Class 11

Answer 1

The correct answer is (a) metals

The best I can explain: Boron of group 13 and silicon of group 14 share a diagonal relationship and have many similarities. Both boron and silicon are non-metals, semiconductors and they also form covalent hydrides, therefore, they are not metals.