Question

Which of the following is the most sonorous metal?
(A) Gold
(B) Platinum
(C) Mercury
(D) Silver

Answer 1

Hint: Sonority is a common property of sheet metals only, and they have to be of somewhat low density. High-density metals will not as easily propagate the kinetic energy, as there will be additional atomic collisions damping the effect.

Complete step by step solution:
- Sonority of a material is the property of producing a ringing sound when hit. Most metals are sonorous. Therefore, they are used in many instruments like cymbals and bells. Almost all non-metals are non-sonorous, i.e. they don't produce any ringing sound when struck. Due to very low electronegativity, when they are hit, the electron cloud moves easily and the dissipation of energy is less. So that produces the kinetic energy required to produce sound.
- Incidental to the properties that make them sonorous, these metals are good conductors of heat and electricity, along with being the most sonorous silver is also the best conductor of heat and electricity.

So, the correct option is (d).

Additional Information:
(i) Gold is the most malleable metal. An ounce of gold can be beaten into a thin continuous sheet measuring roughly 100 square feet.
(ii) Platinum is most ductile metal.
(iii) Mercury is the only metal which exists in liquid state at room temperature.

Note: Bell metal used bell metal cannons is particularly known for its very good sonorous qualities, which produce a distinct, loud ring when fired. But it is made up of copper which is an alloy of copper.