An explanation that links together the following three points:
- the regular arrangement of atoms is distorted / disrupted
- because magnesium atoms are larger than aluminium atoms
- therefore it is more difficult for the layers to slide over one another
Allow:
- lattice / layers / rows of atoms are disrupted / distorted
- lattice / layers / rows of atoms are less regular
- magnesium and aluminium atoms are of different sizes
- layers cannot as easily slide over one another
Ignore:
- references to strength of metallic bonds
