Question:
An element is sonorous and highly ductile. Under which category would you classify this element? What other characteristics do you expect the element to possess?
Solution:
The element is a metal. It is expected to possess the important characteristics of the metals.
Semi-Metals or Metalloids
There are a few elements which possess the characteristics of both metals and non-metals. These are actually border-line elements and are known as semi-metals. Semi-metals are also called metalloids. A few common examples are : Silicon, Arsenic, Antimony and Bismuth.