Question

non - metals
non - metals are poor conductors of heat and electricity.
non - metals are not ductile or malleable.
solid non - metals are brittle and break easily.
they are dull.
many non - metals are gases.
metalloids:
these elements are found along the stair - step line that distinguishes metals from non - metals.
metalloids (metal - like) have properties of both metals and non - metals.
they are solids that can be shiny or dull.
they conduct heat and electricity better than non - metals but not as well as metals.
they are ductile and malleable.
part a: multiple choice

1. which group contains the most elements?

(a) transition elements
(b) nonmetals
(c) metalloids
(d) metals

1. most metals are not

(a) ductile.
(b) malleable.
(c) liquid at room temperature.
(d) good conductors of heat and electricity

1. the most useful property of metalloids is their

(a) varying ability to conduct electric current.
(b) softness and malleability.
(c) tendency to be unreactive.
(d) ability to be pulled out into long wires.

1. which group of elements shares characteristics with both metals and nonmetals?

(a) halogens
(b) lanthanides
(c) salts
(d) metalloids

Explanation:

1. Transition elements (A) have the most elements as they include multiple rows in the periodic table. Non - metals (B) and metalloids (C) are fewer in number compared to metals (D), but metals also do not have as many as transition elements.
2. Most metals are solid at room temperature. Ductility (A), malleability (B), and good conductivity (D) are common properties of metals.
3. Metalloids' varying ability to conduct electric current (A) is their most useful property. Softness and malleability (B) are more metal - like properties. Unreactivity (C) is not a key useful property of metalloids. The ability to be pulled into wires (D) is a property of metals.
4. Metalloids (D) are defined as elements that share characteristics with both metals and non - metals. Halogens (A) are non - metals. Lanthanides (B) are metals. Salts (C) are compounds, not elements.

Answer:

1. A. Transition elements
2. C. Liquid at room temperature
3. A. Varying ability to conduct electric current
4. D. Metalloids