Question

Which of the following can be beaten into sheets?
A. Zinc
B. Phosphorous
C. Sulphur
D. Oxygen

Answer 1

Hint: To get the correct answer we first need to know about the malleability property. The process of beating to convert into sheets is called malleability. Generally, metals are said to be malleable.

Complete answer:
Malleability may be defined as the property of any metal or a fabric by which it is beaten so that the substance forms thin sheets. Most of the metals are malleable. Some common examples of malleable metals are zinc, iron, aluminum, copper, gold, silver, and lead. Among these silver and gold are highly malleable. Metals are generally found as malleable (can be beaten into sheets) and ductile (can be pulled out into wires). This is due to the property or nature of the atoms to roll over one another into new positions without breaking the chemical bond. Under these circumstances, the metal is alleged to be elastic. This malleability property generally applies to the family groups 1 to 12 on the modern periodic table of the elements. It is the ability of a solid to bend or be hammered into other shapes without breaking or causing any damage . Examples of malleable metals are gold, iron, aluminum, copper, silver, and lead. Among all the elements in the periodic table magnesium (Mg) has lowest malleability. Therefore the answer will be zinc as it is a metal that can be easily beaten into sheets.

So the correct option is A.

Note: The density of tungsten is almost the same,, but tungsten is hard and brittle because of the reason that its atoms are tightly linked or compact in nature and it is difficult to force them past each other. Whereas in case of gold atoms, they slide past each other quite easily, which makes the metal soft and malleable.