This laboratory activity gives students an opportunity to view the basic structural forms of most metals.
Students learn the meaning of coordination number, crystal lattice, and packing.
Later, students will be able to correlate properties with structure. Each ion is surrounded by oppositely-charged ions, producing strong attractions, holding the ions in place. This activity is appropriate for all levels of students. Basic students probably should not complete the extensions. Expected Student Background Students with no previous knowledge of crystals can perform the activity.