Chemistry · Periodic trends in properties of elements: atomic and ionic radii, ionization enthalpy, electron gain enthalpy, valence, oxidation states and chemical reactivity
Which of the following is brittle at low temperature?
Which of the following is brittle at low temperature?
- A. Lead
- B. Tin
- C. zinc
- D. All of these
Step-by-step solution
Tin undergoes a phase transformation to brittle gray tin (tin pest) at low temperatures, making it brittle. Lead remains ductile and soft at low temperatures, while zinc becomes brittle but tin is the classic example. Thus, only tin fits the description precisely.