Which element forms a metallic lattice among the following?

Which element forms a metallic lattice among the following?

• A. H2O
• B. CO2
• C. Cu
• D. NaCl

Answer: (C)

Metallic bonding creates a crystal lattice of metal ions in a sea of delocalized electrons, which is why metals like copper form a metallic lattice. Copper is a metal, so its atoms share electrons in this collective cloud, giving the characteristic metallic structure and properties. In contrast, water consists of H2O molecules held together by covalent bonds within each molecule, not a metallic network. Carbon dioxide is a molecule with covalent bonds between carbon and oxygen, existing as discrete molecules rather than a metal lattice. Sodium chloride forms an ionic lattice of Na+ and Cl− ions held together by electrostatic attraction, not metallic bonding.

Metallic bonding creates a crystal lattice of metal ions in a sea of delocalized electrons, which is why metals like copper form a metallic lattice. Copper is a metal, so its atoms share electrons in this collective cloud, giving the characteristic metallic structure and properties. In contrast, water consists of H2O molecules held together by covalent bonds within each molecule, not a metallic network. Carbon dioxide is a molecule with covalent bonds between carbon and oxygen, existing as discrete molecules rather than a metal lattice. Sodium chloride forms an ionic lattice of Na+ and Cl− ions held together by electrostatic attraction, not metallic bonding.