Final answer:
Metal crystals possess a close-packed structure that contributes to their property, with identical metal atoms arranged in a regular pattern. This crystalline structure is made up of repeating unit cells that create a three-dimensional lattice structure. The specific arrangement influences various metal properties, such as the cubic unit cell seen in iron.
Step-by-step explanation:
The crystalline structure of metals resembles an orderly and regular arrangement known as a close-packed structure. This structure is crucial because it minimizes the empty space between atoms, aligning them tightly to maximize stability and minimize intermolecular energy. When visualizing the crystalline structure, imagine identical spheres, such as metal atoms, stacked efficiently so that each successive layer nests into the small spaces created where several spheres meet. These close-packed structures of metals contribute to their characteristic properties such as malleability and ductility.
Metal crystals are made up of many repeated unit cells, each representing the smallest repeating entity within the crystal. These unit cells consist of lattice points that represent the locations where the metal atoms or ions exist. The entire crystalline solid then is constructed by repeating these unit cells in a three-dimensional pattern. The size of these atoms and the specifics of their spatial arrangements contribute to the varying properties of different metals.
Over 90% of solids, both naturally occurring and man-made, showcase a crystalline structure because it is energetically favored. For example, iron crystallizes with two equivalent metal atoms in a cubic unit cell, indicating that even within the realm of metallic crystals, there are diverse geometric arrangements that influence the physical properties of the element.