http://www.ck12.org Chapter 7. Chemical Bonding
7.4 Metallic Bonds
Lesson Objectives
- Describe how metallic bonds form.
- Relate the nature of metallic bonds to the properties of metals.
- Identify alloys and their uses.
Lesson Vocabulary
- alloy
- metallic bond
Introduction
Special bonds form in metals that do not form in other classes of elements. They are called metallic bonds. The
bonds explain some of the unique properties of elements in the metals class.
Formation of Metallic Bonds
Ametallic bondis the force of attraction between a positive metal ion and the valence electrons it shares with other
ions of the metal. The positive ions form a lattice-like structure. You can see an example inFigure7.13. (For an
animated version, go to the URL below.) The ions are held together in the lattice by bonds with the valence electrons
around them. These valence electrons include their own and those of other ions. Why do metallic bonds form?
Recall that metals "want" to give up their valence electrons. This means that their valence electrons move freely.
The electrons form a "sea" of negative charge surrounding the positive ions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4udBSZfLHY (1:50)
MEDIA
Click image to the left for use the URL below.
URL: http://www.ck12.org/flx/render/embeddedobject/5085