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2.7 Metallic bonding

Syllabus
0620–2026–2027
Topic
2.7
Level
—

Describe metallic bonding

Metallic bonding is the strong electrostatic attraction between positive metal ions in a giant metallic lattice and a ‘sea’ of delocalised electrons.

Part of the structure Meaning
positive metal ions arranged in a regular, giant lattice
delocalised electrons no longer belong to one ion and extend through the lattice
metallic bond attraction between the oppositely charged ions and electrons

The electrons remain inside the metal, so the structure is electrically neutral overall. The metal is not a lattice of neutral atoms or alternating positive and negative ions.

Do not describe metallic bonding as shared electron pairs, attraction between positive ions, or attraction between ions and protons.

Explain metallic properties from structure and bonding

Each metallic property follows from a particular part of the giant lattice and its delocalised electrons.

Property Structural explanation
good electrical conductivity delocalised electrons are mobile and carry charge through the solid lattice
malleability layers of positive ions can slide past one another while attraction to the electron sea continues, so the metal can be hammered into shape
ductility the same layer movement lets the lattice change shape and the metal be drawn into wires without the structure shattering

Layer movement does not mean metallic bonding is weak. The mobile electron sea continues to attract the positive ions as their positions change.

In a solid metal, electrons carry the current; the positive ions vibrate about lattice positions but do not flow through the metal.