A piece of copper wire can be hammered into a thin sheet without shattering, demonstrating malleability. Which of the following structural features best explains this physical property at the submicroscopic level?
- The layers of positive metal cations can slide over one another while maintaining non-directional electrostatic attraction with the sea of delocalized electrons.Answer
- BRigid, highly directional covalent bonds between adjacent copper atoms easily break and reform along new planes of pressure.
- CValence electrons are permanently transferred between copper atoms to form cation-anion pairs that easily slip past each other.
- DThe metallic lattice is held together primarily by weak intermolecular dispersion forces that readily yield under mechanical stress.
Answer
The layers of positive metal cations can slide over one another while maintaining non-directional electrostatic attraction with the sea of delocalized electrons.
In metallic bonding, valence electrons are delocalized and free to move throughout the metallic crystal lattice. When stress is applied to a metal like copper, layers of positive metal cations slide past one another. The sea of delocalized electrons adjusts to the new position of the cations, maintaining the non-directional electrostatic attraction and preventing the metal from fracturing.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Malleability of metals in the delocalized electron sea model
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