Which of the following statements about the interstitial compounds is incorrect?
- They are much harder than the pure metal.
- They have higher melting points than the pure metal.
- They retain metallic conductivity.
- They are chemically reactive.
Answer
(4) They are chemically reactive.
Solution
As per NCERT, the principal physical and chemical characteristics of interstitial compounds are:
(i) They have high melting points, higher than those of pure metals.
(ii) They are very hard.
(iii) They retain metallic conductivity.
(iv) They are chemically inert.
∴ The statement 'They are chemically reactive' is incorrect.
Answer: (4)