Which element is most likely to have the ability to be hammered into a thin sheet? (Nitrogen, Silicon, Fluorine, Calcium)

Question:

Options

1) Nitrogen

2) Silicon

3) Fluorine

4) Calcium

Answer:

The correct option is;

4) Calcium

Explanation:

We analyze each of the elements as follows;

Nitrogen is a gas at room temperature, therefore it cannot be hammered into sheets

Silicon is a brittle non-metal, that breaks when struck

Fluorine is a gas at room temperature, therefore it cannot be hammered into sheets

Calcium is a soft, solid silvery-white, metallic element that is ductile, hence, it can be beaten into very thin sheets.

Calcium

Explanation:

The ability to be hammered into sheets is known in chemistry as malleability. One of the properties of metals is that metals are malleable. All metals thus have a common property that they can be hammered into sheets used in diverse applications. We can see diverse thin sheets of metals around us used to diverse purposes. This is a vary important property of metals that amplify its importance in materials science.

Of all the options listed, only calcium is a metal. Since nonmetals and metalloids can not be hammered into sheets, nitrogen, silicon and fluorine can not be hammered into sheets. Calcium, being a metal can be hammered into thin sheets.