Question

Which of the following is true for all metals?
(a) They are hard solids.
(b) They have high melting and boiling points.
(c) They have 1−3 valence electrons.
(d) They are malleable and ductile.

Answer 1

(c) They have 1$-$3 valence electrons.
All the metals have 1$-$3 electrons in their valence shell and they lose their valence electrons to form positive ions. However, other properties like hardness, high melting and boiling points, malleability and ductility are not shown by all metals. Even though sodium and potassium are solids, they are soft, non-malleable and non-ductile metals. Further, they have low melting and boiling points. Similarly, mercury is found in liquid state at room temperature.