Question

Explain how metallic atoms bond to form metallic compounds.

Answer 1

In metallic bonds, the valence electrons from the s and p orbitals of the interacting metal atoms delocalize. That is to say, instead of orbiting their respective metal atoms, they form a “sea” of electrons that surrounds the positively charged atomic nuclei of the interacting metal ions

Answer 2

Metals possess low ionisation energy hence it loses electrons easily. The nucleus and the inner shell electrons is called the kernel.

The electron which gets lost leaves the influence of one kernel and moves towards the other.

Thus the electrons will be in constant movement and gets delocalized.

The electrostatic forces between the positive kernel and the sea of mobile electrons is called as metallic bond.

Metal atoms possess this type of attractive forces in between them.

For example the metal atoms of a sheet of copper possess this type of chemical bond between the atoms.

Thus, Metallic bonding is a type of chemical bonding that rises from the electrostatic attractive force between conduction electrons and positively charged metal ions