Final answer:
Silicon is an example of a metalloid, which exhibits properties between metals and nonmetals and is especially useful in making computer chips due to its semiconductor nature.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term metalloid refers to an element that displays properties intermediate between those of metals and nonmetals, and it is often known for its semiconductor abilities. A good example of a metalloid is silicon. Silicon has a lustrous appearance similar to metals but is also brittle like nonmetals, which makes it significant in electronics, particularly for manufacturing computer chips. On the periodic table, elements such as boron, germanium, arsenic, antimony, and tellurium are also classified as metalloids due to their mixed properties.