Question

What is the type of bonding in solid potassium?
A) Metallic Bonding
B) Ionic Bonding
C) Covalent Bonding
D) Hydrogen Bonding

Answer 1

We must remember that potassium is a soft metal having an atomic number $19$ with an atomic symbol $K$. It is so soft that it can be cut with a knife. It belongs to group $1$ i.e. Alkali metals. It is found to be solid in nature and silver in appearance.

Complete step by step answer:
Before starting the solution, first let’s learn about types of bonding, usually the bonding is classified into 4 types which can be Ionic, Covalent, Hydrogen and Metallic bonding. As the name says bonding defines itself.
- Ionic bonding: Bonding between two oppositely charged ions forming an ionic bond.
Example: $N{a^ + } + \;C{l^ - } \to \;NaCl$
Bonding between $N{a^ + }$ and $C{l^ - }$ leads to the formation of $NaCl$ that’s an ionic bond.
- Covalent bonding: A bond which is involved during the sharing of electrons leads to this type of bonding, as the name suggests the bond so formed is a chemical bond.
Example: $Cl - Cl$ Bond between two $Cl$ atoms leads to covalent bonding forming $C{l_2}$ Chlorine molecule.
- Hydrogen bonding: When hydrogen is electrostatically bonded to an electronegative species, this type of bonding is termed as Hydrogen bonding. Example: The bonding between two water molecules leads to the formation of hydrogen bonding.
- Metallic bonding: Electrostatic attraction between electrons and positively charged metal leads to the formation of Metallic bonds.

- Option A) this is the correct option since $K$ is a metal thus it will lead to metallic bonding. Since metallic bonds are formed between electrons and positively charged metals.
- Option B) is incorrect as Solid $K$ has no oppositely charged ions to form ionic bonds.
- Option C) is incorrect since no chemical bonding is needed to form solid $K$, it is a metal and a metallic bond will be formed.
- Option D) is incorrect as no Hydrogen atom or any other electronegative species is present to form a hydrogen bond.

Hence, the correct answer is Option A.

Note: It is easy to identify metallic bond formation if you know the nature of the element. Since Potassium belongs to alkali metal, group 1 it can be easily identified that it must have a metallic bond in it, which can also act as a good conductor of heat and electricity.