Which term describes a substance that is a shiny solid and conducts electricity well?

Which term describes a substance that is a shiny solid and conducts electricity well?

• A. Metal
• B. Non metal
• C. Metalloid
• D. Ionic bond

Answer: (A)

Metals. The shiny appearance and good electrical conductivity come from metallic bonding, where atoms form a lattice and their outer electrons are not tied to any one atom. These electrons move freely as a “sea” around the positively charged metal ions, so they can carry electric charge easily when an electric field is applied. That same free-electron cloud also reflects light, giving metals their characteristic luster. Nonmetals usually don’t have this electron sea and are poorer conductors, metalloids have mixed properties, and ionic bonds describe a different type of bonding in compounds (which typically aren’t shiny metals and don’t conduct electricity as solids).

Metals. The shiny appearance and good electrical conductivity come from metallic bonding, where atoms form a lattice and their outer electrons are not tied to any one atom. These electrons move freely as a “sea” around the positively charged metal ions, so they can carry electric charge easily when an electric field is applied. That same free-electron cloud also reflects light, giving metals their characteristic luster. Nonmetals usually don’t have this electron sea and are poorer conductors, metalloids have mixed properties, and ionic bonds describe a different type of bonding in compounds (which typically aren’t shiny metals and don’t conduct electricity as solids).