Chemistry – Atoms, elements and compounds - Metallic bonding | e-Consult
Atoms, elements and compounds - Metallic bonding (1 questions)
Metals are excellent conductors of electricity due to the presence of a 'sea' of delocalised electrons. In a metallic lattice, the metal atoms are arranged in a regular, repeating pattern, forming a giant lattice of positive ions. These positive ions are held together by the electrostatic attraction to the delocalised electrons.
When an electric field is applied, the delocalised electrons are free to move throughout the entire metal structure. This movement of charge constitutes an electric current. Because there are many free electrons available, metals can conduct electricity very efficiently.
Diagram:
[Image missing: Metallic Bonding Diagram] Diagram showing a metallic lattice with positive ions (shown in blue) and a 'sea' of delocalised electrons (shown in orange). The arrows indicate the direction of electron flow in an electric field. |