Chemical Bonding — Quiz

Question 15 • Physical Science

Lead is malleable, so it can be pounded into flat sheets without breaking. How does the bonding within lead help to explain this property?

Answer

Metallic bonds involve valence electrons that are removed from one atom and given to another, so the pounding helps the electrons move.

Metallic bonds involve many valence electrons shared by many atoms, so the bonds can move around as the metal is pounded.

Covalent bonds involve valence electrons that are shared between two metal atoms, so the bonds are strong enough to resist the pounding.

Covalent bonds involve valence electrons that are removed from one atom and given to another, so the pounding helps the electrons move.

Explanation

Lead has metallic bonding: its valence electrons are delocalized and shared among many metal atoms. When lead is pounded, layers of atoms can shift while the mobile electrons continue to hold the atoms together, allowing the metal to flatten instead of breaking. Choice D describes this bonding; choices A and B incorrectly describe electron transfer, and C describes covalent bonding.

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