Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 21: Problem 66

Explain why most metals have a flickering appearance.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The flickering appearance of most metals is due to their structure of closely packed atoms sharing a 'sea' of free electrons. When light hits the metal, it excites these free electrons, causing them to emit energy as light and produce a shiny effect.

Step by step solution

01

Exploring the Atom Structure

In metals, atoms are closely packed together and share a 'sea' of electrons. These electrons are free to move, not tied to only one atom. This is known as metallic bonding.
02

Understanding the Behavior of Electrons

When light (photons) hits the surface of the metal, it energizes the free electrons. This energy excites the electrons, causing them to move to a higher energy level.
03

Reflecting Light

Once the excited electrons drop back to their original energy level, they emit energy as light. This reflected light gives metals their shiny or flickering appearance.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

The pressure of gaseous \(\mathrm{Al}_{2} \mathrm{Cl}_{6}\) increases more rapidly with temperature than predicted by the ideal gas equation even though \(\mathrm{Al}_{2} \mathrm{Cl}_{6}\), behaves like an ideal gas. Explain.

Write chemical formulas for (a) quicklime, (b) slaked lime, (c) limewater.

Write a balanced equation for the reaction between calcium oxide and dilute HCl solution.

List three metals that are usually found in an uncombined state in nature and three metals that are always found in a combined state in nature.

State whether silicon would form \(n\) -type or \(p\) -type semiconductors with the following elements: Ga, \(\mathrm{Sb}, \mathrm{Al}, \mathrm{As}\)
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Making Measurements

Read Explanation

Organic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Physical Chemistry

Read Explanation

Inorganic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Chemistry Branches

Read Explanation

Chemical Analysis

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free