Metals have unique properties and can’t be classified as being ionic or covalent compounds.
Definition
“Metallic bonding is the electromagnetic interaction between delocalized electrons”
Common physical properties
• Shiny in appearance.
• Conduct electricity
• Conduct heat
• Ductile and malleable
• Hard and have high tensile strength
In metals the atoms lose their electrons in their incomplete outer shell. The atoms losing electrons become positive ions and the electrons now occupying a different energy level are delocalised. This bonding is often described as a ‘sea of electrons encircling the positive ion lattice.
The conduction of electricity is due to the delocalised electrons. The electrons are the charge carriers.
Heat conduction is especially effective through the vibration of the positive ions and the mobility of the electrons.
The diagram below shows metallic bonding.
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