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Yes they can. They form a giant lattice meaning that the layers can slide past each other. That's why pure metals aren't really that strong.

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Is bending a metal pole a physical of chemical change?

no because the atomic structure of the atoms in the metal will not chemically change. the free (delocalised) electrons in a metal form non-directional bonds with the atoms. there are also layers of atoms in a metal and these slide over each other and do not break.


Why is gold soft when you bit it?

Gold is a soft metal because its atomic structure allows for its atoms to slide past each other easily. This makes it malleable and ductile, which is why gold can be shaped into various forms without breaking.


How does adding larger metal atoms to a metallic lattice make the metal harder?

Adding larger metal atoms to a metallic lattice introduces more lattice strain and dislocation movement obstacles, making it more difficult for dislocations to move through the lattice. This results in increased hardness as dislocation movement is a common mechanism for plastic deformation in metals.


Is an element that are soft and easy to cut cleanly with a knife likely to be a metal or a nonmetal?

An element that is soft and easy to cut cleanly with a knife is more likely to be a metal. Metals tend to have metallic bonds that allow layers of atoms to slide past each other easily, making them malleable and ductile. Nonmetals are usually brittle and cannot be easily cut with a knife.


Why pure copper is ductile and malleable?

Copper is a metal and metals got free electrons which are not allococated to a specific nucleus. These free electrons slide over each other and causes the ductile and malleable properties of metals.

Related Questions

Why does metal bend?

Metal bends when a force is applied to it that exceeds its yield strength. The atoms in the metal lattice are able to slide past each other when this force is applied, allowing the metal to change shape without breaking.


Do constituents atom in the metal can move?

Yes, the constituents atoms in a metal can move. In metals, the atoms are arranged in a crystal lattice structure that allows them to move and slide past each other, giving metals their characteristic ability to be malleable and ductile.


Why is it impossible to slide solid objects through each other given that atoms are mostly empty space?

The electromagnetic field surrounding each atom repels all other atoms.


What happens to the atoms in the metal when a piece of copper is pulled into a wire?

When a piece of copper is pulled into a wire, the atoms in the metal rearrange themselves to align in the direction of the wire, resulting in elongation of the material. This process is known as plastic deformation, where the crystal structure of the metal adjusts to the new shape without breaking.


Is bending a metal pole a physical of chemical change?

no because the atomic structure of the atoms in the metal will not chemically change. the free (delocalised) electrons in a metal form non-directional bonds with the atoms. there are also layers of atoms in a metal and these slide over each other and do not break.


Why is gold soft when you bit it?

Gold is a soft metal because its atomic structure allows for its atoms to slide past each other easily. This makes it malleable and ductile, which is why gold can be shaped into various forms without breaking.


In liquid water does the hydrogen atoms slide past the oxygen atoms easily?

No, because the hydrogen atoms are slightly positive and the oxygen is slightly negative they are attracted to each other by something called hydrogen bonds. It actually gives the water a sticky quality called cohesion.


Why can you bend metals?

It is to do with the bonding between atoms in the metal. A mettalic bond occurs in most metal alloys. It is when the electrons from the atoms are free to move around and no longer attached to any individual atoms. The atoms are effectivly in a sea of electrons. This gives them greater movement abilities so the metal can be bent.


How does adding larger metal atoms to a metallic lattice make the metal harder?

Adding larger metal atoms to a metallic lattice introduces more lattice strain and dislocation movement obstacles, making it more difficult for dislocations to move through the lattice. This results in increased hardness as dislocation movement is a common mechanism for plastic deformation in metals.


Why is gold malleable?

Gold is malleable because its atoms are arranged in a way that allows them to easily slide past each other when a force is applied, without breaking the metal. This property makes gold easy to shape into different forms without breaking.


Why are metals easy to bend?

Metals are easy to bend because they have a crystalline structure that allows layers of atoms to slide past each other. When a force is applied, these layers can easily move, allowing the metal to be bent without breaking. Additionally, the metallic bonds between atoms are flexible, enabling the metal to change shape without losing its overall structure.


What happens to the atoms in a metal when it is stretched?

When a metal is stretched, the atoms in the metal move further apart from each other, elongating the material. This stretching causes the atoms to rearrange their positions, resulting in deformation of the metal's structure. If the stretching force is too great, the metal can eventually reach its elastic limit and permanently deform.