Which of the following statements about the interstitial compounds is incorrect?

Which of the following statements about the interstitial compounds is incorrect?
  1. They retain metallic conductivity
  2. They are chemically reactive
  3. They are much harder than the pure metal
  4. They have higher melting points than the pure metal

Solution

Interstitial compounds are obtained when small atoms like $\mathrm{H}, \mathrm{B}, \mathrm{C}, \mathrm{N}$ etc., fit into the lattice of other elements. These retain metallic conductivity. These resemble the parent metal in chemical properties (reactivity) but differ in physical properties like hardness, melting point etc.

Asked in: NEET 2013 (All India)

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