Asked by julie
Which characteristics of metal atoms help explain why valence electrons in a metal are delocalized?
Metal atoms are large and have high electronegativities.
Metal atoms are small and have low electronegativities.
Metal atoms are large and have low electronegativities.
Metal atoms are small and have high electronegativities.
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Answered by
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Metal atoms are large and have low electronegativities.
Reason: Large atomic size means valence electrons are farther from the nucleus and less tightly held (low ionization energy), and low electronegativity means the atoms do not strongly attract those electrons. Together this allows valence electrons to become delocalized into a "sea of electrons" across the metal lattice.
Reason: Large atomic size means valence electrons are farther from the nucleus and less tightly held (low ionization energy), and low electronegativity means the atoms do not strongly attract those electrons. Together this allows valence electrons to become delocalized into a "sea of electrons" across the metal lattice.
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