Question

Malleability and ductility of metals can be accounted due to

• A. the presence of electrostatic force
• B. the crystalline structure in metal
• C. the capacity of layers of metal ions to slide over the other
• D. the interaction of electrons with metal ions in the lattice

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

In metallic bonds, the valence shell electrons are delocalised and shared between many atoms. These delocalised electrons allow the metal atoms to slide past one another without being subjected to strong repulsive forces. The malleability and ductility of metals is due to this sliding capacity of the delocalised electrons.