Is it something to do with the size of the metal's lattice? Can any metal exist as a single or a few atoms metallically bonded? I know that Sodium is highly reactive but I cannot understand why Na2 does not exist unless it is ionically bonded to something else.
2007-09-02 18:58:51 · 2 answers · asked by Gideon 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
You are confusing metallic sodium with a Na2 molecule. This question asks why a Na2 molecule cannot form, which is because this will not fill the electron shells in the correct manner. Metallic sodium can exist with any number of atoms, but would still be denoted only as Na, not Na(#ofAtoms).
2007-09-03 03:32:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Huh?? The fact is that sodium --CAN-- exist without being ionically bonded to anything. But if you allow it to contact anything reactive it will immediately form an ionic bond (usually quite violently ☺)
It's usually stored in a bath of mineral oil. What's really fun is to cut off some small (pea-sized) chunks of it (using an inert plastic knife) and toss them in a swimming pool (especially at night). They flash, sizzle, and 'skitter' all over the pool.
Doug
2007-09-02 19:41:42 · answer #2 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋