Question

Why are metals lustrous?

• A. Light is transmitted through delocalized electrons
• B. They have a high boiling point
• C. Light is reflected through delocalized electrons
• D. Light does not travel through metals at all

Answer 1

The correct option is C Light is reflected through delocalized electrons

A metal is a lattice of metal "ions" in a "sea" of delocalised electrons - mobile electrons. Photons of light do not penetrate very far into the surface of a metal and are typically reflected, or bounced off, the metallic surface, by the mobile electrons and what you get is metallic reflection, which is lustrous.