The lustre of a metal is due to:a)Its high densityb)Presence of free e...
The lustre of a metal is due to presence of free electrons.
It has to do with the way light and electrons on the surface of metals interact. The outer electrons in a metal are almost not bound to any individual atom, thus are relatively free, and are concentrated on the surface. These electrons (electron density) tend to oscillate at a collective frequency.
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The lustre of a metal is due to:a)Its high densityb)Presence of free e...
THe lustre of a metal is due to presence of free electrons.
It has to do with the way light and electrons on the surface of metals interact. The outer electrons in a metal are almost not bound to any individual atom, thus are relatively free, and are concentrated on the surface. These electrons (electron density) tend to oscillate at a collective frequency.
As they oscillate they prevent any incoming light from entering the metal or passing through it. Consequently, the incident light is reflected back. Although a lot of materials also reflect, only those with a lot of nearly free electrons can reflect huge amount of light.
It is the intensity of this reflected light reaching our eyes that make it appear lustrous.
The lustre of a metal is due to:a)Its high densityb)Presence of free e...
The lustre of a metal is due to the presence of free electrons.
Metallic lustre refers to the shiny, reflective appearance of metals. It is one of the characteristic properties of metals that sets them apart from non-metals. The lustre of a metal is primarily due to the presence of free electrons within its structure. Let's understand this in detail:
1. Structure of metals:
Metals have a unique atomic structure where the outermost electrons of metal atoms are not tightly bound to their respective nuclei. Instead, these outer electrons are delocalized and form a "sea" of free electrons that move freely throughout the metal lattice.
2. Interaction with light:
When light falls on the surface of a metal, it interacts with the free electrons present in the metal lattice. The interaction causes the incident light to be absorbed and re-emitted in all directions. This process is known as scattering.
3. Scattering of light:
The free electrons in the metal lattice scatter the incident light in all directions. This scattering leads to the reflection of light from the metal surface, giving it a shiny appearance. The scattered light waves interfere constructively, resulting in a high degree of reflectivity.
4. Smooth surface:
For a metal to display a high lustre, it should have a smooth and polished surface. A rough or oxidized surface can disrupt the regular scattering of light, leading to a dull or non-reflective appearance. Polishing the metal surface helps to remove any irregularities and enhances its reflectivity.
5. Absence in non-metals:
Non-metals, such as wood or plastic, do not possess the same delocalized free electron structure as metals. Therefore, they do not exhibit the same level of lustre.
In conclusion, the lustre of a metal is due to the presence of free electrons within its structure. These free electrons interact with light, causing it to scatter and reflect in all directions. The smooth and polished surface of the metal further enhances its reflective properties, resulting in the characteristic shiny appearance. Non-metals lack the delocalized free electron structure, and hence, do not display the same lustre as metals.