Week # 10

Metallic Bonding
Metals
Most metals are malleable – they can be bent and shaped without
breaking. This is because they consist of layers of ions that can slide
over one another when the metal is bent, hammered or pressed. Due to
the ions sliding over each other, most metals are ductile – they can be
drawn/pulled into wires, making them suitable for electric cables.
Metallic bonds
Metals form giant structures in which electrons in the outer shells of the
metal atoms are free to move. The metallic bond is the force of
attraction between these free-moving (delocalised) electrons and
positive metal ions. Metallic bonds are strong, so metals can maintain a
regular structure and usually have high melting and boiling points.
Metals are good conductors of electricity and heat. This is because the
delocalised electrons can move throughout the metal.

Allotropes of carbon
Diamond, graphite and fullerenes (substances that include nanotubes
and ‘buckyballs’, such as buckminsterfullerene) are three allotropes of
pure carbon.
In all three allotropes, the carbon atoms are joined by strong covalent
bonds, but in such different arrangements that the properties of the
allotropes are very different.
Diamond
A diamond is one giant molecule of carbon atoms. Diamonds are
colourless and transparent. They sparkle and reflect light, which is why
they are described as lustrous. These properties make them desirable in
items of jewellery
Diamond is extremely hard and has a high melting point. For this
reason, it is very useful in cutting tools. The cutting edges of discs used
to cut bricks and concrete are tipped with diamonds. Heavy-duty drill
bits – such as those used in the oil exploration industry to drill through
rocks – are made with diamonds so that they stay sharp for longer.
Diamond is insoluble in water. It does not conduct electricity. Every
atom in a diamond is bonded to its neighbours by four strong covalent
bonds, leaving no free electrons and no ions. This explains why
diamond does not conduct electricity.
The bonding also explains the hardness of diamond and its high melting
point. Significant quantities of energy would be needed to separate
atoms so strongly bonded together.
Graphite
Graphite contains layers of carbon atoms.

Graphite is black, shiny and opaque. It is not transparent. It is also a very

slippery material. It is used in pencil leads because layers easily slide
onto the paper, leaving a black mark. It is a component of many
lubricants, for example bicycle chain oil.
Graphite is insoluble in water. It has a high melting point and is a good
conductor of electricity, which makes it a suitable material for the
electrodes needed in electrolysis.
Each carbon atom is bonded into its layer with three strong covalent
bonds. This leaves each atom with a spare electron, which together
form a delocalised ‘sea’ of electrons loosely bonding the layers together.
These delocalised electrons can all move along together – making
graphite a good electrical conductor.
However, melting graphite is not easy. It takes considerable energy to
break the strong covalent bonds and separate the carbon atoms.