Which term describes a substance that is a shiny solid and conducts electricity well?

• A. Metal
• B. Non metal
• C. Metalloid
• D. Ionic bond

Answer: (A)

Metals. The shiny appearance and good electrical conductivity come from metallic bonding, where atoms form a lattice and their outer electrons are not tied to any one atom. These electrons move freely as a “sea” around the positively charged metal ions, so they can carry electric charge easily when an electric field is applied. That same free-electron cloud also reflects light, giving metals their characteristic luster. Nonmetals usually don’t have this electron sea and are poorer conductors, metalloids have mixed properties, and ionic bonds describe a different type of bonding in compounds (which typically aren’t shiny metals and don’t conduct electricity as solids).