Metallic bonding and the structure of iron | 14-16 years

A photograph of a piece of red hematite iron ore against a black background

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Explore how the bonding in iron relates to its physical properties and address common misconceptions using this lesson plan with activities

In this activity, students decide whether a series of statements about the bonding in iron are true or false. This leads to further thinking and discussion about the bonding in metals.

This activity checks on the misconceptions that:

The structure of iron is an example of a giant molecule.
The atoms of iron are held together by ionic bonds.
Iron conducts electricity because iron atoms move through the solid.
Iron expands when heated because the atoms get bigger.
Iron metal is silver because iron atoms are silver.

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