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Multiple Choice
Which element is most likely to bend without breaking (i.e., is the most malleable) under normal conditions?
A
Gold (Au)
B
Sulfur (S)
C
Neon (Ne)
D
Carbon (C)
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1
Understand the concept of malleability: Malleability is a physical property of metals that describes their ability to be hammered or rolled into thin sheets without breaking.
Identify the types of elements given: Sulfur (S) and Carbon (C) are nonmetals, Neon (Ne) is a noble gas, and Gold (Au) is a metal.
Recall that metals generally exhibit malleability due to the presence of metallic bonds, which allow atoms to slide past each other without breaking the structure.
Recognize that nonmetals and noble gases do not have metallic bonding and therefore are not malleable; they tend to be brittle or gaseous under normal conditions.
Conclude that among the options, Gold (Au), being a metal with strong metallic bonding, is the most malleable element and thus most likely to bend without breaking.