Most metals have high melting points. Which type of bonding accounts for this property?

• A. Metallic bonding
• B. Hydrogen bonding
• C. Ionic bonding
• D. Covalent bonding

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that melting point is related to the strength of the forces holding atoms or ions together in a solid.
2. Recall that metallic bonding involves a lattice of metal cations surrounded by a 'sea' of delocalized valence electrons, which creates strong attractive forces throughout the metal.
3. Compare this to other types of bonding: hydrogen bonding is a weak intermolecular force, ionic bonding involves attraction between ions but is typical of ionic compounds, and covalent bonding involves shared electron pairs between specific atoms.
4. Recognize that the strong, non-directional metallic bonds allow metals to have high melting points because a lot of energy is required to break these bonds.
5. Conclude that the high melting points of most metals are primarily due to metallic bonding.