A metal is a giant structure of atoms arranged in a regular
pattern , in layers
The outer shell electrons of the metal atoms are delocalised : they
leave their atoms and are free to move through the whole structure
The positive metal ions left behind are held in place by the strong
electrostatic attraction to the sea of delocalised electrons. That shared
attraction is the metallic bond , and it is strong
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Metallic bonding + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + positive metal ions in a regular lattice delocalised electrons free to move through the whole structure The strong attraction between the positive ions and the sea of delocalised electrons is the metallic bond. Because the electrons can move, metals conduct electricity and heat. Metallic structure: rows of positive metal ions in a regular lattice with delocalised electrons drawn between them, labelled "delocalised electrons" and "positive metal ions"
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In the full topic
• Metallic bonding• Properties of metals• AlloysRead the free chemistry topics →