which metalloid has three valence electrons?\no boron\no arsenic\no silicon\no lithium

which metalloid has three valence electrons?\no boron\no arsenic\no silicon\no lithium
Answer
Answer:
A. boron
Explanation:
Step1: Recall metalloid elements
Metalloids include boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, tellurium, polonium, astatine. Lithium is a metal, not a metalloid, so it can be excluded.
Step2: Analyze valence - electrons of metalloids
- Boron has 3 valence electrons. Its electron configuration is 1s²2s²2p¹.
- Arsenic has 5 valence electrons. Its electron configuration is [Ar] 3d¹⁰4s²4p³.
- Silicon has 4 valence electrons. Its electron configuration is [Ne] 3s²3p².