Metallic Bonding
Metallic bonding is the electromagnetic interaction
between loosely held, delocalized, valence electrons,
gathered in an "electron sea", and the metallic nuclei
within metals. This type of bonding is seen as the
sharing of "free" electrons among a lattice of positively-
charged ions (cations).
Metals have characteristic properties such as:
• High thermal and electrical conductivity.
• Luster and high reflectivity.
• Malleability (They can be beaten or shaped
without fracture)
• Ductility (They can be drawn and stretched into
wire without fracture)
• Variability of mechanical strengths (ranging
from very soft alkali metals to Tungsten, which
is very hard).
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ + +
+
+
Delocalized
electrons.
+ + +
+
+
+ + +
+
+
+ + +
+
+
