Why do metals have high luster?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking why metals appear shiny or have a high luster.
Answer
Metals are lustrous due to the interaction of light with their free electrons, which causes light to be re-emitted.
Metals have a high luster because their free electrons interact with light. When light strikes the metal's surface, these electrons absorb and re-emit the light, resulting in a shiny, reflective appearance.
Answer for screen readers
Metals have a high luster because their free electrons interact with light. When light strikes the metal's surface, these electrons absorb and re-emit the light, resulting in a shiny, reflective appearance.
More Information
Luster refers to the way light interacts with the surface of a material and how it is reflected back to the observer's eye.
Tips
A common misconception is that luster is simply a property of the metal's surface. However, it's the behavior of electrons within the metal's structure that determines its luster.
Sources
- What causes the high luster of a metal? | CK-12 Foundation - ck12.org
- Flexi answers - Why do metals have luster? | CK-12 Foundation - ck12.org
- Why do metals appear lustrous? - Chemistry Stack Exchange - chemistry.stackexchange.com
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