Question

Non-metals are non-malleable due to absence of:

• A. covalent bonding
• B. ionic bonding
• C. metallic bonding
• D. co-ordinate bonding

Answer 1

The correct option is C metallic bonding

Malleability in metals occurs because of the metallic bonds that keep the atoms in place. Metallic bonds, characterized by a 'sea' of electrons that easily move from atom to another, allow the metal atoms to slide past each other if a force is applied. Non-metals are hard and brittle due to the absence of these electron pools of metallic bonds.

Hence, the correct option is $\text{C}$