P8+-+Metalloids

Metalloids are in the groups of 13, 14, 15, and 16. They are also in the periods of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. The group is the columns and the period is row. The metalloid group can be found the periodic table below in red:

The elements in the metalloid group are Boron, Silicon, Germanium, Arsenic, Antimony, Tellurium, and polonium. Metalloids are solids. They have the characteristics of metals and nonmetals. They are a bit of both. Metalloids are malleable (ability to be shaped), ductile (ability to be made into wire), and can conduct electricity, but not as well as metals can. Arsenic tarnishes, meaning it reacts with the air to make a black coating. Antimony burns and forms white smoke in high heat. Boron reacts with metals to form borides. Silicon is used as a semiconductor in microchips and Polonium is a lightweight heat source for power in satellites. This is a Polonium atom:

//chemicalelements.com.// polonium atom. unknown. //cartage.org.// 10/26/09. 

Silicon atom:

//inventors.about.com.// silicon atom. 2009. //inventors.about.com.// 10/26/09. 

Tellurium: // periodictable.com//. tellurium. unknown.// periodictable.com. //10/26/09. <[]>

Sources://

Gordon England. "//Periodic table of the elements."// Gordonengland.co.uk. //Surface Engineering Forum, unknown.Web. 10/22/09. <[]>

Winter, Mark.// Webelements.com. //The University of Sheffield. 2009. Web. 10/26/09. <[]>

Lenntech. "Periodic Table."// lenntech.com.// Lenntech Water treatment & purification Holding B.V. 2009. Web. 10/26/09. <[]>