What makes silicon like a non-metal?

Answer 1

Silicon is normally classified as a metalloid. It resembles a non-metal in the following respects:- elemental silicon is not a good conductor and is a brittle solid. In its chemistry silicon does not form ionic compounds where it is the cation. It has many resemblances to carbon forming silane SiH4, a gas, covalent compound- also there are compounds wuth chains of silicon atoms (although by no means as extensive as carbon) Its oxide is "acidic" whereas metal oxides are basic or amphoteric (react with bases and acids)

Answer 2

Silicon is like a non-metal because it is a poor conductor of electricity, has a brittle structure, and does not exhibit metallic luster. Additionally, it can form covalent bonds with other elements similar to non-metals, leading to properties more typical of non-metals.

Answer 3

Oh, dude, silicon is like a non-metal because it sits right there on the Periodic Table with its buddies in the metalloids section, straddling the line between metals and non-metals. It's like that friend who can't decide if they want to be in the cool kids' group or the nerds' group. So yeah, technically it's not a full-on metal, but it's also not fully committed to the non-metal life either.