Question

Which is not a characteristic of metals?

a. Most metal oxides are ionic solids that are basic.
b. They have a shiny luster and various colors, although most are silvery.
c. Solids are malleable and ductile.
d. They are poor conductors of heat and electricity.

Answer 1

Answer: d: They are poor conductors of heat and electricity .

Explanation:

Although is common knowledge that metals are characterized by high electrical conductivity and heat conductivity, these properties can be justified by looking at the metallic bonding.

In a metal, the bonding electrons are delocalized over the entire crystal. In fact, metal atoms in a crystal can be imagined as an array of positive ions immersed in a sea of delocalized valence electrons.The mobility of the delocalized electrons makes metals good conductors of heat and electricity.