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Which elements are classified as semimetals?

  1. H, He, Li, Be

  2. B, Si, As, Te, At, and Sb

  3. O, F, Ne, Na

  4. C, N, P, S

The correct answer is: B, Si, As, Te, At, and Sb

Semimetals, also known as metalloids, are elements that possess intermediate properties between metals and nonmetals. They typically have a metallic luster and are semi-conductive, making them valuable in electronic applications. The elements classified as semimetals include boron (B), silicon (Si), arsenic (As), tellurium (Te), astatine (At), and antimony (Sb). These elements display characteristics that enable them to conduct electricity better than nonmetals but not as well as metals. For example, silicon is widely used in semiconductor technology due to its ability to conduct electricity under certain conditions. In contrast, the other groups of elements listed do not include semimetals. The first group consists solely of nonmetals and noble gases, and the third group includes a mix of nonmetals. The last group solely contains nonmetals as well. Therefore, the selection identifying boron, silicon, arsenic, tellurium, astatine, and antimony as semimetals is accurate based on their chemical and physical properties.