Which would you expect to be the more ductile element, (a) Ag or Mo? In each case explain your reasoning.

Key Concepts

Ductility

Ductility is a measure of a material's ability to deform under tensile stress, which is often characterized by the material's ability to be stretched into a wire. Metals typically exhibit high ductility due to the presence of metallic bonds that allow atoms to slide past one another without breaking the overall structure. This property is crucial in applications where materials need to be shaped or drawn into wires.

Metallic Bonding

Metallic bonding is a type of chemical bonding that occurs between metal atoms, characterized by a 'sea of electrons' that are free to move around. This delocalization of electrons allows metals to conduct electricity and heat efficiently, as well as contributing to their malleability and ductility. The strength and nature of these bonds can vary between different metals, influencing their physical properties.

Comparison of Silver (Ag) and Molybdenum (Mo)

Silver (Ag) is known for its high ductility and malleability, making it one of the most ductile metals. In contrast, Molybdenum (Mo) is a transition metal that, while strong and resistant to heat, is less ductile than silver. The differences in their atomic structure and bonding lead to silver being more easily drawn into wires compared to molybdenum, which is more brittle.