1.3.6 Metallic Bonding

• Metal atoms are tightly packed together in lattice structures
• When the metal atoms are in lattice structures, the electrons in their outer shells are free to move throughout the structure
• The free-moving electrons are called ‘delocalised electrons’ and they are not bound to their atom
• When the electrons are delocalised, the metal atoms become positively charged ions
• The positive charges repel each other and keep the neatly arranged lattice in place
• There are very strong forces between the positive metal centres and the ‘sea’ of delocalised electrons

The positive metal ions are suspended in a ‘sea’ of delocalised electrons