A metal with a cubic close-packed structure is malleable because
A) Each atom has 2 tetrahedral holes.
B) Each atom has a coordination number of 12.
C) The unit cell has 8 sets of slip planes.
D) The unit cell has a large percentage of empty space.
E) Each atom has 1 octahedral hole.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Malleability is the property of a metal to deform under compression and be rolled or hammered into thin sheets. This occurs due to the presence of slip planes in the metal's structure, which allow the atoms to slide past each other without breaking their metallic bonds. Cubic close-packed structures have 8 sets of slip planes, making them highly malleable. Therefore, choice C is the best choice.

A Metal with a Cubic Close-Packed Structure Is Malleable Because