Which of the following is a characteristic of metalloids?

• A. They form basic oxides when reacting with oxygen.
• B. They are typically malleable and ductile.
• C. They are excellent conductors of electricity.
• D. They have properties intermediate between metals and nonmetals.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that metalloids are elements with properties that are intermediate between metals and nonmetals.
2. Recall that metals typically form basic oxides, are malleable and ductile, and are excellent conductors of electricity.
3. Recall that nonmetals typically form acidic oxides, are brittle (not malleable or ductile), and are poor conductors of electricity.
4. Recognize that metalloids exhibit a mix of these properties, meaning they do not fully behave like metals or nonmetals but have characteristics of both.
5. Therefore, the key characteristic of metalloids is that they have properties intermediate between metals and nonmetals.