The element with atomic number 14 is hard and forms acidic oxide and a covalent halide. To which of thefollowing categories does the element belong?

Correct option is C

The Correct answer is (c) Metalloid.
· The element with atomic number 14 is Silicon (Si), which is classified as a metalloid.
· Metalloids have properties intermediate between metals and non-metals, which is why silicon exhibits both metallic and non-metallic characteristics.
· Silicon is hard and forms an acidic oxide (SiO₂), a characteristic of non-metals, yet it can also behave like a metal under certain conditions.
· It forms covalent bonds with halogens, such as in silicon tetrachloride (SiCl₄).
· Silicon is widely used in semiconductors because of its ability to conduct electricity under certain conditions, making it essential in electronics.
Information Booster:
· Alloy: An alloy is a combination of metals or a metal and another element. For example, steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, but silicon is not classified as an alloy.
· Metal: Metals are elements that typically form basic oxides, are good conductors of electricity and heat, and are malleable. Silicon has some metallic properties but is not considered a pure metal.
· Non-metal: Non-metals, like oxygen or carbon, usually form acidic oxides and do not conduct electricity, but silicon's ability to act as a semiconductor sets it apart from non-metals.