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Describe the metallic bond, with the aid of a suitable diagram. - Leaving Cert Engineering - Question e - 2012
Question e
Describe the metallic bond, with the aid of a suitable diagram.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Describe the metallic bond, with the aid of a suitable diagram. - Leaving Cert Engineering - Question e - 2012
Step 1
Describe the metallic bond
Answer
The metallic bond is a type of chemical bond that occurs in metals. In this bond, cations are surrounded by a 'sea of electrons.' This means that the positively charged metal ions are in a lattice structure and share their valence electrons, which are delocalized and can move freely throughout the structure. This delocalization gives metallic bonds their unique properties.
The presence of the sea of electrons allows metals to be malleable (able to be hammered into thin sheets), ductile (able to be drawn into wires), and conductive (able to conduct electricity). These characteristics arise from the ability of the electrons to move freely and adjust in response to applied forces, allowing the metal to bend or reshape without breaking.
A suitable diagram illustrating this concept would show the cations in a regular lattice arrangement surrounded by the delocalized electrons.
Step 2
Diagram of metallic bonding
Answer
The diagram representing metallic bonding typically consists of a grid of positively charged cations surrounded by a cloud of free-moving electrons. The cations are shown as small circles, while the electrons are often represented as dots scattered around the cations to indicate their mobility.