Metallic Bond

Metal atoms are held strongly to each other

by metallic bonding.

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

 How does metallic bond arise?

The atoms lose their valence

electrons and become
positively charged.

These electrons move freely

between the metal ions like
a cloud of negative charge.

The valence electrons no longer belong to any

metal atom and are said to be delocalised.

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

 How does metallic bond arise?

The lattice structure is

described as
a lattice of positive ions
surrounded by
a ‘sea of mobile electrons’.

We can therefore define a metallic bond as the force

of attraction between positive metal ions and the
‘sea of delocalised electrons’.

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

 Properties of Metals

Malleability and ductility

Electrical conductivity

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

 Electrical conductivity

Metals are good conductors of electricity

because of the mobility of the delocalised
electrons within the metal lattice.

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

 Malleability and ductility

Metals can be hammered into different

shapes (malleable) or drawn into wires
(ductile) without breaking.

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

 Malleability and ductility

appliedforce is applied to the metal …

If sufficient
force

Layers of atoms can slide over another without

disrupting the lattice as there is metallic bonding
between the metal ions and sea of electrons.

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

 Malleability and ductility

Hence, metallic bonds are strong but flexible,

so metals are malleable and ductile.

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.