Metallic and Molecular Solids

Flashcards covering the bonding, factors increasing strength, and properties of metallic solids, molecular solids, and non-polar molecular solids based on chemistry lecture notes.

Metallic Solid

A type of solid (e.g., $Cu$ and $Al$) held together by metallic bonding, where metal cations are surrounded by a shared sea of free-floating valence $e^-$

Sea of Electrons

A bonding arrangement in metallic solids where atoms donate valence $e^-$ to a shared pool, leaving cations surrounded by free-floating electrons

Factors Increasing Metallic Bond Strength

Smaller metal cations and higher charges on cations (meaning more $e^-$ are donated), which make the electron sea and bonds stronger

Properties of Metallic Solids

Characteristics including medium to high melting point, hard, ductile, malleable, low solubility, high electrical conductivity in both solid and liquid states due to free-floating $e^-$, and ability to change shape under pressure

Molecular Solid

A type of solid composed of molecules held together by intermolecular forces (IMFs), which include LDF, dipole-dipole, and hydrogen bonds

London Dispersion Forces (LDF)

An intermolecular force in molecular solids that increases in strength as the number of $e^-$ increases

Dipole-Dipole Forces

An intermolecular force where having more polar locations on molecules increases the attractive force

Hydrogen Bonds (H-Bonds)

Intermolecular forces where a higher number of $\text{FON}$ (fluorine, oxygen, nitrogen) bonds increases the overall bond strength

Properties of Molecular Solids

Characteristics including low melting point, typically soft texture (though some shatter), good solubility with correct solvent ('like dissolves like'), non-conductive as a solid ($e^-$ trapped in bonds), poor conductor as a liquid, and ability to crumble, bend, or shatter

Non-Polar Molecular Solid

A subclass of molecular solids formed from molecules with similar electronegativity ($\text{EN}$), held together by electrostatic attractions from instantaneous dipoles

Properties of Non-Polar Molecular Solids

Characteristics including the lowest melting point, low conductivity (insulator), very soft texture, and ability to dissolve in non-polar solvents (e.g., wax)