Hydrogen is a solid at low temperature and elevated pressure. Do you expect it to be a metal or an insulator?

It is a metal because hydrogen has a half filled s-band.

Helium is a solid at low temperature and elevated pressure. Do you expect it to be a metal or an insulator?

What is the reason of answer ??

it's right answer? H2 is met and half filld s band?

To determine whether hydrogen would be a metal or an insulator at low temperature and elevated pressure, we first need to understand the properties of metals and insulators.

Metals are characterized by their ability to conduct electricity and heat. They have a high density of delocalized electrons that are free to move within the metal lattice. This mobility of electrons allows metals to conduct electric current and thermal energy readily.

On the other hand, insulators are materials that do not conduct electricity or heat efficiently. Insulators have tightly bound electrons in their atomic or molecular structure, which restricts their movement.

Now, let's consider hydrogen at low temperature and elevated pressure. Under these conditions, hydrogen is predicted to undergo a phase transition and convert into a solid form. At extremely low temperatures, hydrogen solidifies, and its properties change.

Experimental data and theoretical predictions suggest that solid hydrogen can exhibit metallic properties. Theoretical calculations indicate that under high pressure, hydrogen may transition from its molecular state to a metallic phase, where electrons become delocalized and can move freely in the crystal lattice of solid hydrogen.

Therefore, based on current scientific understanding, it is expected that at low temperature and elevated pressure, solid hydrogen would exhibit metallic behavior rather than behaving as an insulator. However, it's important to note that the precise behavior of solid hydrogen under extreme conditions is an active area of research and subject to ongoing investigations and debate.