Question

The soldiers of Napolean army while at Alps during freezing winter suffered a serious problem as regards to the tin buttons of their uniforms. White Metallic tin buttons get converted to grey powder. This transformation is related to :

• A. an interaction with water vapor contained in humid air
• B. a change in crystalline structure of tin
• C. a change in the partial pressure of $O_2$ in air
• D. an interaction with $N_2$ of air at low temperature

Answer 1

The correct option is B a change in crystalline structure of tin

Option (B) is correct.

This transformation is related to a change in crystalline structure of tin. This change in solid classification involves a change from metallic bonding with a relatively close packed structure to covalent bonding with directional non - close packed structure.