Gray tin is described as:

Gray tin is described as:

• A. It is a shiny metal that is highly ductile.
• B. It forms a protective oxide layer.
• C. It is a brittle gray powder and a nonmetal.
• D. It is liquid at room temperature.

Answer: (C)

Tin has two allotropes with very different behaviors: gray (α-tin) and white (β-tin). Gray tin features a diamond-like lattice and exhibits nonmetallic, brittle character, showing up as a dull gray powder. This contrasts with white tin, which is metallic, shiny, and ductile. At room temperature, gray tin is not the stable form and tends to convert to the metallic, ductile white tin, which is why the gray form is described as a brittle nonmetal rather than a shiny metal or a liquid. Therefore, describing gray tin as a brittle gray powder and a nonmetal best fits its properties.

Tin has two allotropes with very different behaviors: gray (α-tin) and white (β-tin). Gray tin features a diamond-like lattice and exhibits nonmetallic, brittle character, showing up as a dull gray powder. This contrasts with white tin, which is metallic, shiny, and ductile. At room temperature, gray tin is not the stable form and tends to convert to the metallic, ductile white tin, which is why the gray form is described as a brittle nonmetal rather than a shiny metal or a liquid. Therefore, describing gray tin as a brittle gray powder and a nonmetal best fits its properties.