Metals Mastery

Elements that are metals tend to be __________, __________, and conductors of heat and electricity.

• shiny; malleable; good

• dull; brittle; poor

• soft; non-malleable; non-conductors

• transparent; fragile; insulators

How many electrons do atoms of the alkali metals have in their outer energy levels?

• 0

• 1

• 2

• 3

To which of the following groups do the elements Fe, Co, and Ni belong? Select all that apply.

• transition metals

• iron triad

Compare alkali and alkaline earth metals in terms of electrons in the outer energy level and in terms of their general properties.

• Alkali metals have one electron in their outer energy level, while alkaline earth metals have two.

• Alkali metals have two electrons in their outer energy level, while alkaline earth metals have one.

• Both alkali and alkaline earth metals have the same number of electrons in their outer energy level.

• Alkali metals have more electrons in their outer energy level than alkaline earth metals.

Discuss how metallic bonding accounts for the common properties of metals. In metallic bonding, the outer energy level electrons are relatively free and form an electron sea that is shared by all the positive metal ions. The free movement of these electrons accounts for the good conductive properties of metals. The ions are attracted to the electron sea, which accounts for the malleability and ductility of metals.

• Metallic bonding involves the sharing of free electrons among a lattice of metal atoms.

• Metallic bonding is characterized by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another.

• Metallic bonding occurs when metal atoms share pairs of electrons.

• Metallic bonding is the result of the attraction between metal ions and a sea of delocalized electrons.

Which one of these elements is always found in nature combined with other elements?