Chapter 7, Problem 110A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reason due to which sodium metals deforms but sodium chloride shatters when the same amount of force is applied needs to be explained.

Concept introduction:

In ionic compounds, the ionic bonds form unique physical structures, unlike other compounds. Ionic bond binds oppositely charged particles together.

Answer to Problem 110A

On applying force, sodium metals deforms because the like charge cation force each other and the repulsive force breaks the crystal. While in sodium chloride cation and anion exist together in a ratio determined by the number of electrons transferred from the metal to non-metal and these bind together in a repeating manner and balances the force of attraction and repulsion between the ions. So, they shatters.

Explanation of Solution

An ionic bond is formed when an anion comes in close proximity to a cation to produce a more stable compound than the two ions alone. In contrast, a metallic bond is formed between delocalized electrons that is sea of electrons and the metal cation which produce when the electrons go away from the metal atom. The sea of electrons in a metallic solid allows the metal cations to slide past each other not to take position themselves next to another cation. When a force is applied to an ionic solid the same charged ions force each other and resulting repulsive force breaks the crystal lattice.

Conclusion

In sodium chloride, each positive sodium ion is surrounded by negative chloride ion. But in sodium metal only like charge cation is present.