Metallic Bonding
Chemistry: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 2.7.1
Metallic Bonding
Metallic bonds are the electrostatic attractions between positive ions and negative delocalised electrons.
Positive ions
- Metals are made of giant structures of regularly arranged atoms.
- The structure is a regular lattice of positive ions (cations) in a ‘sea’ of delocalised electrons.
Delocalised electrons
- Delocalised electrons are not bound to an atom and are free to move around within the lattice.
- Delocalisation happens because metal atoms have a small number of electrons in their outer shells.
Test yourself on Metallic Bonding
Which of the following would metallic bonding be found in?
In metals, what do electrostatic attractions form between?
Why do metal atoms have delocalised electrons?
What is another name for positive ions?