Metals

Metals

1. Metals have crystal structure

   • Metals are held together with metallic bonds. These special bonds allow the outer electron(s) of each atom to move freely. This creates a 'sea' of delocalised (free) electrons throughout the metal which is what gives rise to many of the properties of metals.
   • They all have the same basic properties because they are held together by a special type of bonding

2. Most metals have high melting and boiling points and high density

   • Metals are very hard, dense and lustrous (shiny).
   • There's a strong attraction between the delocalised electrons and the closely packed positive ions - causing very strong metallic bonding.
   • Metals have high melting and boiling points because of these strong metallic bonds. You need a lot of energy to break them apart.
   • The strength of the metallic bond (and the melting point) decreases as atomic radius increases

3. Metals have a high tensile strength (strong and hard to break) but can also be hammered in to a different shape (they're malleable)

4. Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity due to the sea of delocalised electrons which move freely through the metal carrying the electrical current. They also carry the heat energy through the metal.