Valence Electrons in a Metallic Solid (College Board AP® Chemistry): Revision Note

Valence electrons in a Metallic Solid

• The atoms in a metallic solid are arranged together in metallic lattices

• Since the atoms are tightly packed together, they lose valence electrons and become positive ions

• Therefore, electrons are free to move throughout the structure

  • The free-moving electron are called “delocalized” because they do not correspond to particular atoms anymore

• The metallic solids are held together by the Coulombic forces of attraction between the positively charged metal ions and a sea of delocalized electrons

• The interaction between ions and electrons is named metallic bonding

The Structure of a Metal

The positive metal ions are held in a 'sea' of delocalized electrons by Coulombic attraction