Which of the following is a metalloid?

🧠 Metalloids form a staircase line in the p-block — memorize the seven The recognized metalloids are: B, Si, Ge, As, Sb, Te, and sometimes Po and At. They sit on the diagonal staircase between metals and non-metals in the p-block.

🗺️ Check each option Sc: Group 3, d-block transition metal. Definitely a metal. Pb: Group 14, Period 6. Heavy post-transition metal — soft, dense, fully metallic. Bi: Group 15, Period 6. Below the staircase line, classified as a metal. Te: Group 16, Period 5. Sits on the staircase. Recognized metalloid.

⚠️ The trap Many students mark Bi because they remember it has some non-metal-ish behaviour (forms acidic oxide states sometimes). But the standard NCERT classification places Bi as a metal. Te is the textbook metalloid in this set. Stick to the standard list.

$\boxed{\text{Answer: (d)}}$ Use this image to identify and memorise the metalloids, sitting between post-transition metals and nonmetals and depicted in mint-teal color.