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dolimitless
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Im guessing it's something to do with their metallic bonding of sorts?
The density of an element is determined by its atomic structure. Metals have a more compact atomic structure compared to non-metals, which allows them to pack more atoms into a given space, resulting in a higher density.
The more compact an element's atomic structure is, the higher its density will be. This is because a compact structure allows for more atoms to be packed into a given space, increasing the overall mass of the element.
Yes, there are some exceptions to the trend of metals having higher density than non-metals. For example, non-metals such as iodine and sulfur can have a higher density than some metals such as lithium and sodium.
The size of atoms also plays a role in determining an element's density. Generally, smaller atoms will have a higher density because they can pack more tightly into a given space. This is why metals, which have smaller atoms, tend to have higher density than non-metals with larger atoms.
Density alone cannot be used to distinguish between metals and non-metals, as there are exceptions to the trend. However, it can be a useful tool when combined with other properties such as conductivity and malleability.