http://www.ck12.org Chapter 3. Chemical Interactions
3.10 Metallic Bonding
- Describe metallic bonds.
- Explain how metallic bonds influence the properties of metals.
The thick, rigid trunk of the oak tree on the left might crack and break in a strong wind. The slim, flexible trunk of
the willow tree on the right might bend without breaking. In one way, metals are like willow trees. They can bend
without breaking. That’s because metals form special bonds called metallic bonds.
What Are Metallic Bonds?
Metallic bondsare forces of attraction between positive metal ions and the valence electrons that are constantly
moving around them (see theFigure3.17). The valence electrons include their own and those of other, nearby
ions of the same metal. The valence electrons of metals move freely in this way because metals have relatively low
electronegativity, or attraction to electrons. The positive metal ions form a lattice-like structure held together by all
the metallic bonds. For an animated version of metallic bonding, go to this URL:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4udBSZfLHY
MEDIA
Click image to the left for use the URL below.
URL: http://www.ck12.org/flx/render/embeddedobject/5085Q:Why do metallic bonds form only in elements that are metals? Why don’t similar bonds form in elements that
are nonmetals?
A:Metal atoms readily give up valence electrons and become positive ions whenever they form bonds. When
nonmetals bond together, the atoms share valence electrons and do not become ions. For example, when oxygen
atoms bond together they form oxygen molecules in which two oxygen atoms share two pairs of valence electrons
equally, so neither atom becomes charged.