Question

Which of the following properties holds true for a metalloid?

(a) Poor conductors of heat and electricity

(b) Malleable

(c) Ductile

(d) Non-brittle

I had been asked this question by my college professor while I was bunking the class.

The origin of the question is Solid State Electrical Properties topic in chapter Solid State of Chemistry – Class 12

Answer 1

Correct answer is (a) Poor conductors of heat and electricity

To explain: Metalloids have properties intermediate to those of metals and non-metals. They are non-malleable, non-ductile and brittle. They are poor conductors of heat and electricity as compared to metals, but are better conductors than non-metals.