Question

Metals can be hammered into sheets but solid non-metals break under similar circumstances. Explain why this happens. [3 MARKS]

Answer 1

Reason for Metal : 1.5 Marks
Reason for Non-metal : 1.5 Marks

Metals are malleable by nature, which means they can be beaten into thin sheets without breaking the metal. This happens due to the strong metallic bonding present in the metal which keeps the atoms together even though the shape might change.

Non-metals on the other hand are naturally gases due to weak bonds present between the atoms. Solid non-metals similarly have weak forces of attraction. Due to these weak forces, they cannot withstand any external force and break when hammered.