Which class of elements includes those that are good conductors of heat and electricity and tend to lose electrons to form cations?

Prepare for your NMAT Chemistry Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each offering detailed solutions and explanations. Excel in your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

Which class of elements includes those that are good conductors of heat and electricity and tend to lose electrons to form cations?

Explanation:
Delocalized electrons in metallic bonding create a sea of mobile charges that let metals conduct heat and electricity efficiently. Those electrons are not tied to any particular atom, so they move freely and carry energy and current readily. Metals also tend to lose electrons easily because their ionization energies are relatively low, forming cations. Nonmetals are generally poor conductors and often gain electrons or share them in covalent bonds, metalloids show mixed properties, and “covalent” describes a type of bonding rather than a broad class of elements. So, the class described is metals.

Delocalized electrons in metallic bonding create a sea of mobile charges that let metals conduct heat and electricity efficiently. Those electrons are not tied to any particular atom, so they move freely and carry energy and current readily. Metals also tend to lose electrons easily because their ionization energies are relatively low, forming cations. Nonmetals are generally poor conductors and often gain electrons or share them in covalent bonds, metalloids show mixed properties, and “covalent” describes a type of bonding rather than a broad class of elements. So, the class described is metals.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy