METALLIC PROPERTIES

AND
METALLIC BONDINGS
Metallic bonding is used to describe metals in their uncharged
elemental states ( as opposed to the ionic bonding we see frequently
when they become ions ). Each metal atom is considered to be
composed of its outer electrons and a kernel, which is made up of the
nucleus and lower energy level electrons . The kernels are arranged in
such a way that the outer orbital intermingles with one another ,
resulting in a sea of outer electrons that move around ( delocalized
electrons ). This sea of outer electrons can flow from one atom to the
next along the network of kernels. The metallic ions are held together
by virtue of their mutual attraction for the negative electron cloud .
Since the electrons are free to move , metals have good thermal and
electrical conductivity . This model is also called the electron sea model

The properties of metals brought about by metallic bonds find a wide

range applications in differences industries . The electrical conductivity
and relatively cheaper coast of copper makes it ideal for wiring and
other electrical applications . Metals, such as aluminum and iron, have
extremely high thermal conductivity and are thus perfect for cooking
wares and utensils. Many metals are also fundamentally used in
buildings and other infrastructures because of their durability ,
strength , and malleability.
Electron Sea Model
Metals make up most of the elements in the periodic table (around 80%), and they are
special. When metals bond with themselves,
they bond in a different way than when they bond with other elements. It isn't ionic
or molecular or covalent. It is its own metal bond.

Most metals have very few electrons in their outermost energy shells, and some have
vacant outer electron orbitals. What this means for the
metal is that its valence electrons are decentralized and free to move around.
Remember that in ionic bonds, the electrons transfer from one atom
to another atom. In covalent bonds, the electrons are shared between atoms.
In metal bonds, the electrons wander around and aren't transferred or
shared. It's more of a communal thing where they belong to all the metal
atoms around them.
Metals form compact and orderly crystalline
structures. They look like this
When metals are next to each
other, the valence electrons don't
just stay on their own atom; they
roam around the whole metal
complex. They float free as
though floating through a sea of
electrons, much like an individual
water molecule floats free in the
sea. This is why it is called
theelectron sea model.
Each metal atom allows its
electrons to roam freely, so these
atoms become positively charged
cations. These cations are kind of
like a positively charged island
and are surrounded by a sea of
negatively charged electrons. It
looks a bit like this:
Properties of Metals
The electron sea model explains many of the physical properties of metals.
They aregood electrical conductorsbecause the electrons flow freely in
them. They aremalleablebecause of the drifting electrons and because the
cations slide easily past each other. Theyreflect lightbecause of the free
electrons.

Electrons are also very malleable, which

means they can be shaped or formed.
Since metals form those nice crystalline
structures and they are made up of all
those positive centers and negative
electrons, the bonding in them is the
same in all directions. Metal atoms can
move over each other without breaking
or causing any harm to the crystalline
structure. This is sort of like a bunch of
ball bearings covered in oil. They can
roll on past each other easily
withoutdamage.