Metallic bonding Flashcards
What are some properties of metals?
Thermal conductors
Electrical conductors
High melting point
Malleable- beaten into new shapes
Ductile- drawn into wire
High density- relatively heavy considering the volume
Lustrous
High tensile strength- withstand a lot of stress before failing
Low ionisation energy- easily lose their outer shell electrons
what is high density?
relatively heavy considering the volume
what is high tensile strength?
withstand a lot of stress before failing
what is low ionisation energy?
easily lose their outer shell electrons
how do metals form ions?
Lose electrons to achieve a full outer shell.
They form positive ions called cations.
what do transition metals usually look like?
silver coloured and are similar in appearance.
what is an important function of transition metals?
Transition metals (ions) are also necessary to assist our bodies in carrying out biochemical reactions such as the production of energy from glucose. They are used as paints and glass due to their colours.
what are some properties of transition metals compared to normal metals?
Generally harder.
Have higher densities.
Have higher melting points.
May have magnetic properties (iron, nickel and cobalt).
The first three are due to greater core charges making their atoms smaller.
why do transition metals release coloured light?
Have partially filled d-sub shells where the d-orbitals are at the same energy level.
When they become part of a compound the d-orbitals no longer have identical energy levels- some are higher.
Electrons are able to become excited between d-orbitals by absorbing energy from white light.
The unabsorbed wavelengths are seen as coloured light.
why is zinc seen as white?
Compounds of zinc are seen as white because all of its d-orbitals are occupied therefore they cannot be excited.
why do transition metals have variable valencies?
Transition metals may lose electrons from the 3d or 4s sub shells due to their similar energy values.
Sometimes 1, 2 or 3 electrons can be lost with the ions having equal stability.
how is the metallic lattice organised?
The positive ions are arranged in a closely packed structure which is regular and 3D.
The valance electrons that are lost are delocalised and are free to move throughout the lattice as they belong to it as a whole.
The electrons remaining in the cations in the inner shells are localised and are not free to move.
This structure is called the metallic bonding model and is described as a lattice of cations surrounded by a sea of delocalised electrons.
what holds the cations and delocalised electrons together?
The cations and delocalised electrons are held together by electrostatic forces of attraction which is between the cations and delocalised electrons and is called a metallic bond.
why are metals good conductors of electricity?
Delocalised electrons are free to move.
If a source of electric current is attached, electrons flow from positive to negative.
For things to conduct electricity they must have freely moving charged particles.
why are metals good conductors of heat?
When delocalised electrons bump into each other and into ions, they transfer energy.
When heated they vibrate more rapidly.
why do metals have high melting and boiling temperatures?
High amounts of energy are needed to overcome the strong electrostatic forces of attraction.
why are metals malleable and ductile?
Layers of cations can be forced across each other and the delocalised electrons move to compensate for this and re-establish the electrostatic forces.
why are metals usually dense?
The ions of the lattice are closely packed.
why are metals lustrous?
Delocalised electrons reflect light.
why do metals react by loosing electrons?
When delocalised electrons are involved in reactions, the reactivity of the metal depends on how easily the delocalised electrons can be removed.
what are some limitations of the metallic model?
Why some metals are magnetic.
Why there is a large range of melting temperatures.
Why there is a large range of densities.
Why there are differences in electrical conductivity.
how reactive are the group 1 metals with water?
Group 1 metals are highly reactive with water and need to be stored under oil.
how reactive are group 2 metals with water?
Group 2 is quite reactive.