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Why are Zn, Cd and Hg quite soft and hav...

Why are `Zn, Cd` and `Hg` quite soft and have low melting points ?

Text Solution

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These metal atoms have completely filled `d-`orbitals (`d^(10)` configuration). This means that `d-`electrons are not readily available for metallic bond formation. Quite obviously, the metallic bonds are weak and as a result, these metals are quite soft and also have low melting points.
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Knowledge Check

  • Covalent compounds have low melting points because

    A
    covalent molecules have definite shape
    B
    covalent bond is weaker than ionic bond
    C
    covalent bond is less exothermic
    D
    covalent molecules are held by weak van der Waals forces of attraction.
  • The alkali metal having low melting point is

    A
    Fr
    B
    Cs
    C
    Rb
    D
    Na.
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