ShmoopTube

Where Monty Python meets your 10th grade teacher.

Search Thousands of Shmoop Videos


Chemistry Videos 44 videos

Chemistry: 1.1 Lab Safety
568 Views

Don't even think about stepping foot into a lab until you drink a nice big cup of safe-ty. Safety lesson number one: do not listen to this descript...

Chemistry: 4.7 Atomic Emission Spectra and Flame Tests
395 Views

Today we're playing with fire. Wait, we're not supposed to say playing...having fun with fire? Today's lesson is on the colors that can be emitted...

Chemistry: 2.1 Significant Figures and Scientific Notation
407 Views

These figures may not be significant to you, but they matter to us, okay? Oh, and to Science. They matter a ton to Science.

See All

Chemistry: 5.6 Metalloids 102 Views


Share It!


Description:

We know, metalloids totally sound like alien robots that shred it on electric guitars...but they're actually substances with some properties of metals and non-metals. We'll learn all about them in today's video.

Language:
English Language

Transcript

00:04

Larry and Mary Mermelstein can't wait to usher their first child into the world.

00:09

In the meantime there's so much anticipation.

00:12

Will it be a metal, or a non-metal?

00:16

Mary finally completes the birthing process...

00:20

and the doctor proudly announces that the newest addition to the Mermelstein family is...

00:25

a metalloid!

00:27

Well, Mary passes out. Larry drops everything he's holding. (Thank goodness he wasn't holding the baby.)

00:34

And they begin sobbing, "how could this happen?"

00:37

Well before the Mermelsteins fall into too deep of a panic...

00:41

...the doctor explains to them that there's nothing wrong with being a metalloid.

00:46

In fact, there are metalloids all over the world co-existing peacefully with metals and non-metals alike.

00:51

It doesn't do much to relieve the tension in Larry, who is already wondering how the adoption process works.

00:56

Or Mary, who is still unconscious.

00:59

So the doctor pulls down a chart and shows the Mermelsteins...

01:04

...where the metalloids fit in the bigger picture.

01:07

There are certain elements that have some properties of metals and other properties of non-metals.

01:19

Larry still isn't too pleased.

01:22

Especially because, according to him, half of those sound like Shakespearean villains.

01:26

But the doctor presses on, stressing the fact that metalloids...

01:31

...also known as semi-metals, or semi-conductors (hint hint)...

01:35

...have more personality than either metals or non-metals.

01:39

Some metalloids like silicon look like a metal, but don't conduct electricity very well...

01:44

...which is a definite non-metal trait.

01:46

Same deal with reactivity.

01:49

Some of the time, metalloids behave like metals and react quite strongly.

01:54

But other times, they just sit there like a bump on a log.

01:58

They're fascinating, versatile creatures, and any parent would be lucky to have one.

02:03

Larry, finally realizing he just might be able to appreciate his little bundle of half-metal joy after all,

02:09

well he's softening up to the idea.

02:11

He's still a bit worried this will mean

02:13

that he and his child will never be able to have a game of catch together.

02:17

But as the doctor points out, it's not likely any of them have hands.

Related Videos

Jane Eyre Summary
123033 Views

When you're about to marry the love of your life, not many things could stop you. However, finding out that your future hubby is keeping his crazy...

What is Shmoop?
91301 Views

Here at Shmoop, we work for kids, not just the bottom line. Founded by David Siminoff and his wife Ellen Siminoff, Shmoop was originally conceived...

ACT Math 4.5 Elementary Algebra
492 Views

ACT Math: Elementary Algebra Drill 4, Problem 5. What is the solution to the problem shown?

AP English Literature and Composition 1.1 Passage Drill 1
1039 Views

AP® English Literature and Composition Passage Drill 1, Problem 1. Which literary device is used in lines 31 to 37?

AP English Literature and Composition 1.1 Passage Drill 2
683 Views

AP® English Literature and Composition Passage Drill 2, Problem 1. What claim does Bacon make that contradicts the maxim "Whatsoever is delig...