Question

The most malleable metals (Cu, Ag, Au) have close-packing of the type:

• A. Hexagonal close-packing
• B. Simple cubic packing
• C. Body-centred cubic packing
• D. Malleability is not related to type of packing

Answer 1

The correct option is A Hexagonal close-packing

Malleability increases with increase in C.N. in metallic solids.

HCP $\Rightarrow C.N.=12$, No. of atoms / unit cell = 6
SC $\Rightarrow C.N.=8$ , No. of atoms / unit cell = 1

BCC $\Rightarrow C.N.=8$ , No. of atoms / unit cell = 2

Option A is correct.