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Why does sodium have a lower melting point then magnesium

1 Answer

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Answer:

Number of delocalized electrons

Step-by-step explanation:

Magnesium has more delocalized electrons compared to sodium and this accounts for the higher melting point.

  • When magnesium atoms comes together to form a metallic bonds, they have more network of delocalized electrons.
  • There is more pull for the localized electrons due to the nuclear charge on the nucleus.
  • This strong intermolecular metallic bond increases the melting point of magnesium.
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