in the periodic table the elements that are adjacent to the stair step are called
Dividing line between metals and nonmetals This line has been called the amphoteric line,[2] the metal-nonmetal line,[3] the metalloid line,[4][5] the semimetal line,[6] or the staircase.[2][n 1] It is also erroneously[citation needed] referred to as the Zintl border[8] or the Zintl line.[9][10] 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.[11] 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.[12]