elements
Strategy: A Based on the conductivity of the elements, determine whether each is a metal, a nonmetal, or a semimetal. Confirm your prediction from its physical appearance. B From the compounds each element forms, determine its common oxidation states. C If the element is a nonmetal, it must be located in the p block of the periodic table. If a semimetal, it must lie along the diagonal line of semimetals from B to At. Transition metals can have two oxidation states separated by one electron. D From your classification, the oxidation states of the element, and its physical appearance, deduce its identity. Solution:.