<P> Of the p - block metals, several have fascinating properties . Gallium, in the 3rd row of column 13, is a metal that can melt in the palm of a hand . Tin, in the fourth row of column 14, is an abundant, flexible, and extremely useful metal . It is an important component of many metal alloys like bronze, solder, and pewter . </P> <P> Sitting right beneath tin is lead, a toxic metal . Ancient people used lead for a variety of things, from food sweeteners to pottery glazes to eating utensils . It has been suspected that lead poisoning is related to the fall of Roman civilization, but further research has shown this to be unlikely . For a long time, lead was used in the manufacturing of paints . It was only within the last century that lead paint use has been restricted due to its toxic nature . </P> <P> Metalloids have properties of both metals and nonmetals, but the term' metalloid' lacks a strict definition . All of the elements that are commonly recognized as metalloids are in the p - block: boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, and tellurium . Metalloids tend to have lower electrical conductivity than metals, yet often higher than nonmetals . They tend to form chemical bonds similarly to nonmetals, but may dissolve in metallic alloys without covalent or ionic bonding . Metalloid additives can improve properties of metallic alloys, sometimes paradoxically to their own apparent properties . Some may give a better electrical conductivity, higher corrosion resistance, ductility, or fluidity in molten state, etc. to the alloy . </P> <P> Boron has many carbon - like properties, but is very rare . It has many uses, for example a P type semiconductor dopant . </P>

How many electrons are in each group of the periodic table