Ask A Scientist Materials Science Archive

name         Nehil
status       student
grade        9-12
location     N/A

Question -   If titanium has a valence of +4 like carbon, what would
happen if you crystallized titanium atoms into a tetrahedral form like
diamond?
-------------------------------------------------------
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
====================================================================