In relation to metals and nonmetals, where are metalloids positioned on the periodic table?

Metalloids are positioned on the periodic table between metals and nonmetals, serving as a bridge between the two groups. This placement reflects their properties, which exhibit characteristics of both metals and nonmetals. For example, metalloids can conduct electricity better than nonmetals but not as well as metals, making them useful in applications such as semiconductors in electronics.

The arrangement of elements on the periodic table is designed to reflect their chemical properties, and metalloids typically share some properties with metals, such as luster, while also possessing nonmetal characteristics, such as brittleness. Their strategic location helps highlight the gradual transition from metallic to nonmetallic behavior, which is important for understanding the trends in element reactivity and conductivity.