Final answer:
Metals form crystal lattices such as face-centered cubic, simple cubic, and body-centered cubic, which determine their physical properties. Each type has a different number of atoms per unit cell, with FCC having 4, simple cubic 1, and BCC 2 atoms per unit cell.
Step-by-step explanation:
The metals mentioned -- face-centered cubic (FCC), simple cubic, and body-centered cubic (BCC) -- form different types of crystal structures known as unit cells. These unit cells are the building blocks of metal crystals and determine the physical properties of these metals.
In a simple cubic lattice, each unit cell is a cube defined by atoms at its corners, with a total of 1 atom per unit cell. In a body-centered cubic structure, atoms are at all the corners plus an additional atom in the center of the cube, resulting in 2 atoms per unit cell. Lastly, the face-centered cubic lattice has atoms at all corners and centers of each face, amounting to 4 atoms per unit cell.
These crystal lattices are crucial because they influence the ductility, malleability, and electrical conductivity of the metals. For example, metals like aluminum, copper, and lead have face-centered cubic structures, which allow them to be particularly ductile and conductive.