Key Stage 4
Meaning
A metallic bond is type of chemical bond in which metal atoms are held together as a group of positive ions surrounded by a sea of delocalised electrons.
About Metallic Bonds
- Metallic bonds happen between metal atoms. This can be between atoms of the same element or different metal elements (an alloy).
- In metallic bonds the atoms form a lattice of positive ions surrounded by a sea of delocalised electrons.
- When metal atoms form metallic bonds they produce giant metallic structures but not simple compounds.
- More than one metal element in a metal is referred to as an alloy, not a compound.
Examples
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| The outer shells of the Magnesium atoms overlap allowing the two electrons in each outer shell to move freely between atoms. | The outer shells of the Aluminium atoms overlap allowing the three electrons in each outer shell to move freely between atoms. |