Question

…………..is malleable and ductile.
    (A) Metal
    (B) Compound
    (C) Non-metal
    (D) Solution

Answer 1

Hint: Gold, silver, platinum etc. are examples of materials which possess malleability and ductility. These types of materials are characterized by their hardness, bright luster, ability to resonate sound and they are excellent conductors of heat and electricity. These materials are generally solids under normal conditions except for Mercury.

Complete step by step answer:
 - Let's start with the concept of malleability and ductility. Malleability can be defined as the ability of a material to deform under compressive stress and this is often characterized by the ability of a material to form a thin sheet by hammering or rolling. Malleability of a material is directly proportional to temperature.

  - Ductility can be defined as a measure of a material's ability to undergo a remarkable plastic deformation before it gets broken or ruptured. Or in other words it is the property of a material being drawn into wire. Ductility is inversely proportional to temperature.
  - As we are aware, elements in the periodic table are further classified into metals, non-metals, and metalloids based on their properties. In the leftmost part of the periodic table, metallic character is strongest for the elements and tends to decrease as we move to the right in any period and within a group of elements, from top to bottom the metallic character will increase.
- All elements that form positive ions by losing electrons during chemical reactions with the exception of hydrogen, are called metals. They are malleable, ductile, lustrous, and good conductors of heat and electricity.
 -The reason for high degrees of ductility occurring in metals are due to metallic bonds, which are found predominantly in metals. This bond valence shell electrons are shared between many atoms and delocalized. These electrons will allow metal atoms to slide past one another without being subjected to strong repulsive forces .These strong repulsive forces cause other materials to shatter.
So, the correct answer is “Option A”.

Note: We should be aware of the difference between ductility and brittleness. As we mentioned above, ductility is the ability of a material which undergoes plastic deformation to withstand the tensile force which is applied on it whereas brittleness is the opposite of ductility. It refers to the ability of materials to break down into pieces upon application of tensile force without any elongation or plastic deformation.