Why is the melting temperature of Magnesium higher than that of Sodium?

More energy is required to break the metallic bonds in Magnesium, because: -Magnesium ions have a smaller ionic radius than Sodium ions so Magnesium is more closely packed -Mg2+ ions have a greater charge density than Na+ ions -Magnesium has more delocalised electrons than Sodium

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Answered by Evelyn M. Chemistry tutor

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