Which of the following statements correctly describes the primary effect on the…
CHEMISTRY · Single correct · GCSE · Chemistry · Bonding, Structure and the Properties of Matter · Bonding, Structure and the Properties of Matter
Problem
Which of the following statements correctly describes the primary effect on the physical properties of a metal lattice when very small atoms occupy interstitial sites?
(a) The lattice becomes less rigid, increasing malleability, and electrical conductivity decreases significantly.
(b) The lattice becomes more rigid, so malleability decreases while electrical conductivity remains largely unchanged.
(c) The lattice becomes more rigid and electrical conductivity increases because the extra atoms contribute additional delocalised electrons.
(d) Electrical conductivity is eliminated because valence electrons become localised around the interstitial atoms.