Metallic Bonds and the Properties of Metals

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Metallic Bond Noun

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[me-tal-ik bond]

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Metallic Bond

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The attraction of a metallic cation for delocalized electrons, which holds metal atoms together in a crystal lattice.

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Example: This diagram shows a metallic bond, where positive metal ions are held together in a fixed lattice by a 'sea' of free-moving electrons.

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Electron Sea Model Noun

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[i-lek-tron see mod-l]

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Electron Sea Model

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A model proposing that metal atoms in a solid contribute their valence electrons to form a 'sea' of shared electrons.

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Example: This diagram shows how metal atoms form a lattice of positive ions, while their outer electrons become delocalized, creating a 'sea of electrons' that holds the ions together.

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Delocalized Electrons Noun

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[dee-loh-kuh-lahyzd i-lek-trons]

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Delocalized Electrons

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Electrons in a metal that are not held by any specific atom and can move freely throughout the metallic crystal.

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Example: This diagram shows how metal atoms form a lattice of positive ions surrounded by a 'sea' of delocalized electrons that are free to move.

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Metallic Cation Noun

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[me-tal-ik kat-ahy-on]

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Metallic Cation

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A positively charged ion formed when a metal atom contributes its valence electrons to the surrounding 'electron sea'.

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Example: This diagram shows a neutral sodium (Na) atom losing its single valence electron to become a positively charged sodium ion (Na+), a metallic cation.

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Luster Noun

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[luhs-ter]

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Luster

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The shiny appearance of a metal, caused by delocalized electrons absorbing and releasing photons of light at the surface.

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Example: The image shows shiny gold bars, a type of metal. The sparkles represent light reflecting off the surface, which is the property known as luster.

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Malleability Noun

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[mal-ee-uh-bil-i-tee]

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Malleability

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The property of a metal that allows it to be hammered or pressed into thin sheets without breaking or shattering.

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Example: This image shows that a malleable material, like the gold lump, can be hammered into a thin sheet or shape, like a coin, without breaking.

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Ductility Noun

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[duhk-til-i-tee]

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Ductility

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The property of a metal that allows it to be pulled or drawn into a thin wire without breaking.

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Example: This diagram shows how a ductile material, like a metal, can be stretched from its starting shape into a long, thin wire without breaking.

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Conductivity Noun

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[kon-duhk-tiv-i-tee]

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Conductivity

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The ability of a material to conduct heat or electricity, which in metals is due to mobile, delocalized electrons.

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Example: This image shows heat from a flame traveling along a metal rod from the hot end to the cool end, demonstrating thermal conductivity.

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Alloy Noun

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[al-oi]

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Alloy

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A mixture of elements that has metallic properties, typically formed by mixing a metal with one or more other elements.

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Example: An alloy is a mixture of metals. Different-sized atoms disrupt the regular layers, preventing them from sliding easily and making the material harder and stronger.

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Substitutional Alloy Noun

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[sub-sti-too-shun-ul al-oi]

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Substitutional Alloy

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An alloy where some atoms in the original metal's crystal lattice are replaced by other atoms of a similar size.

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Example: This diagram shows a substitutional alloy, where some atoms of one metal (copper, Cu) are replaced, or substituted, by atoms of another metal (zinc, Zn).