Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Titanium and Tetrahedral Crystals 
Name: Nehil
Status: Student
Grade: 9-12
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: October 2005
Question:
If titanium has a valence of +4 like carbon, what would happen if you crystallized titanium atoms into a tetrahedral form like diamond?


Replies:
Because two elements have the same oxidation number (valence) does not mean that they form the same kinds of chemical bonds. Titanium vs. Carbon is a good example. Titanium (in its elemental form) bonds with other titanium atoms forming metallic bonds. In contrast carbon, in its various elemental forms (diamond, graphite, C60, C72, etc.) forms covalent bonds. The difference in bonding types results in different properties. What might happen with titanium at very high temperatures and pressures is a different issue. Under extreme conditions some strange things happen.

Vince Calder


Click here to return to the Material Science Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: February 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory