Answer :
Arsenic is classified as a 3) metalloid.
Metalloids are elements that have properties in between those of metals and nonmetals. Arsenic, in particular, has a high density, moderate thermal conductivity, and a limited ability to conduct electricity. It exists in various forms, known as allotropes, including yellow, black, and gray—with gray being the most common.
Arsenic is commonly used in compounds for insecticides, weed killers, and alloys. Its oxide has amphoteric properties, meaning it can act as both an acid and a base. Metalloids like arsenic are important in various industrial and technological applications due to their unique properties that are not fully metallic or nonmetallic.
Final answer:
Arsenic is a metalloid, displaying both metallic and non-metallic properties, and used in multiple industrial applications. It can be obtained by heating arsenic-containing sulfides or by reducing arsenic(III) oxide. The Correct option is 3
Explanation:
Arsenic is a highly poisonous metalloid. It displays characteristics of both metals and nonmetals, making it fall into the metalloid category. As a metalloid, arsenic has properties such as high density, moderate thermal conductivity, and limited electrical conductivity. It can exist in multiple oxidation states, including +5, +3, +2, +1, and -3, and adopts three allotropic forms: yellow, black, and gray, with gray being the most prevalent. In addition to its various industrial uses like insecticides, weed killers, and alloys, arsenic's oxide form is amphoteric and can act as both an acid and a base.
The primary means of obtaining arsenic involves heating arsenic-containing sulfides, such as the reaction of FeAsS(s) to yield FeS (s) and As(g), where the arsenic gas then deposits as a solid. Another method includes the reduction of arsenic(III) oxide with carbon monoxide gas.