<P> This line has been called the amphoteric line , the metal - nonmetal line , the metalloid line , the semimetal line , or the staircase . It is also erroneously referred to as the Zintl border or the Zintl line . The last two terms instead refer to a vertical line sometimes drawn between groups 13 and 14 . This particular line was christened by Laves in 1941 . It differentiates group 13 elements from those in and to the right of group 14 . The former generally combine with electropositive metals to make intermetallic compounds whereas the latter usually form salt - like compounds . </P>
<P> This line has been called the amphoteric line , the metal - nonmetal line , the metalloid line , the semimetal line , or the staircase . It is also erroneously referred to as the Zintl border or the Zintl line . The last two terms instead refer to a vertical line sometimes drawn between groups 13 and 14 . This particular line was christened by Laves in 1941 . It differentiates group 13 elements from those in and to the right of group 14 . The former generally combine with electropositive metals to make intermetallic compounds whereas the latter usually form salt - like compounds . </P>
in the periodic table the elements that are adjacent to the stair step are called
in the periodic table the elements that are adjacent to the stair step are called
metalloid
metalloid