Practice Questions

1. Why are diamonds extremely hard?

2. Why can graphite conduct an electric current?
3. Since both sodium chloride and graphite have high melting points, does this mean
they have the same bonding?
4. State one use each of diamond and graphite and relate this use to their structure?
Metallic Crystals
● Covered in Metallic Bonding.
Summary - properties of metallic crystals
Physical Properties Explanation

High melting points and high The strong electrostatic forces of attraction between the cations and
boiling points delocalised electrons require large amounts of energy to break.

Solid at room temperature Room temperature is not high enough to break the strong
(except mercury) electrostatic forces of attraction between the cations and the
delocalised electrons.

High density The atoms are packed very closely together.

Conduct electricity The delocalised electrons are free to move and carry electricity
through the metal.

Conduct heat The delocalised electrons move and carry heat through the metal

Malleable and ductile The atoms of each metal are all of the same type and size. If force is
applied, the atoms can slide past each other into new positions
without the metallic bonds breaking.
Summary- a comparison of the properties and uses of
sodium chloride, diamond and graphite
Summary- a comparison of the properties and uses of
sodium chloride, diamond and graphite
Comparisons of structure and bonding