# Explain why magnesium has a high melting point and can conduct electricity.

> AQA A-Level Chemistry (7405) — 3.1.3 Bonding · Explain · 5 marks

> Magnesium is a metal used in lightweight alloys. It is solid at room temperature and melts at 650 °C.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Magnesium consists of a lattice/regular arrangement of positive ions (Mg²⁺ ions)
2. Surrounded by/in a sea of delocalised electrons
3. There are strong electrostatic attractions between the positive ions and the delocalised electrons
4. A lot of energy is needed to overcome these strong attractions, so the melting point is high
5. The delocalised electrons can move through the structure and carry charge, so magnesium conducts electricity

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