Representing Metallic Bonding
- In a metal, metal cations arranged in a fixed lattice are surrounded by delocalized valence electrons
- The delocalized electrons are often referred to as a sea of electrons
A metallic lattice
Diagram showing metallic lattice structure with delocalized electrons
- Because the sea of electrons is free to move throughout the structure, metals are:
- Good conductors of electricity
- Good conductors of heat and have a low heat capacity
- Malleable
- Ductile
- Because there are very strong electrostatic forces between the metal cations and the sea of delocalized electrons, most metals tend to have high melting points
Table of metal melting points
Metal |
Magnesium |
Copper |
Gallium |
Platinum |
Melting Point (°C) |
649.85 |
1084.62 |
29.76 |
1768.40 |
Exam Tip
Network covalent solids also have high melting points. However, metals are good conductors of electricity while most network covalent solids (excluding graphite) are not.