metals Flashcards
Why are metals malleable/ductile?
When a force is applied to a metal, the cations can be displaced along the lattice, but the sea of delocalized electrons can move along with the cations to maintain the electrostatic attraction therefore metals can be bent without breaking, therefore metals are malleable.
Why are metals good electrical conductors?
The sea of delocalized electrons in the metal are charged mobile particles, therefore metals can conduct electricity.
Why are metals good thermal conductors?
The closeness of the cations and the sea of delocalized electrons allows for heat vibrations to be quickly transferred when adjacent particles collide, therefore metals are good thermal conductors.
Why do metals have a high melting/boiling point?
There is a strong electrostatic attraction between the metal cations and sea of delocalized electrons, therefore a high amount of energy is needed to disrupt the electrostatic attraction, therefore metals have a high melting/boiling point.
Why are metals lustre/shiny?
Delocalized electrons on the surface of the metal can reflect light waves, therefore metals are seen as shiny.
