Question

Sodium and potassium are soft even after being metals because of:

• A. strong intermolecular forces
• B. weak cohesive forces
• C. high melting point
• D. low boiling point

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

weak cohesive forces

Hardness of a metal is determined by the strong cohesive forces between the atoms. The cohesive forces between atoms of these metals are very weak. The bonding in these metals is weak and electrons are not located over a single atom but over a number of atoms. The weak bonding results in softness of metal.