Question

Metallic lustre is explained by

• A. Diffusion of metal ions
• B. Oscillation of loose electrons
• C. Excitation of free protons
• D. Existence of bcc lattice

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Oscillation of loose electrons

Answer 2

Metallic lustre is explained by the oscillation of loose electrons.

The incident light ray falling on the electrons present on the surface of a metal absorbs energy and startsoscillating. These oscillatingelectrons emit radiations that give metals their metallic lustre. The surface starts to glow and shine. The principle behind the lustrous property can be explained as:

• Metals belong to either s-block or in d-block in theperiodic table.
• The valence electrons in metals are present in either the s-orbital or in d-orbital.
• When incident light falls on the metal surface, the electrons absorb the energy of photons and get excited.
• The electrons then start oscillating due to the energy of the photons.
• The oscillating protons lose energy and come back to the ground state.
• They start to emit a certainwavelength of light in all the directions.

Also Read:Metals and Non-Metals