Certain Period 2 elements exhibit behaviors similar to Period 3 elements immediately below and to the right.One of the interesting diagonal relationships occurs between boron and silicon.Which of the following is one of their similarities?
A)Both exhibit electrical properties of a conductor.
B)The oxoanions of both elements occur in extended ionic networks.
C)Both elements form compounds (boranes and silanes)that are good oxidizing agents.
D)Both elements are metalloids.
E)Both elements are unusually soft solids.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Boron and silicon are both metalloids, which means they have properties of both metals and nonmetals. They have intermediate conductivity and can form covalent as well as ionic bonds. This diagonal relationship is due to their similar electron configurations and valence electron behaviors.

Certain Period 2 Elements Exhibit Behaviors Similar to Period 3