Metallic Bonding (AQA GCSE Chemistry): Revision Note

Metallic structure

• Metals consist of giant structures of atoms arranged in a regular pattern

  • These structures are sometimes known as metallic lattices

• The electrons in the outer shell of metal atoms are delocalised

  • Delocalised means that they are free to move throughout the whole structure

• When electrons leave the outer shell, the remaining atoms become positively charged metal ions

• The delocalised electrons form a "sea of electrons" that moves freely between the positive metal ions

• Metallic bonds are the strong electrostatic attraction between the positive metal ions and the sea of delocalised electrons

• This type of bonding occurs in metals and metal alloys