Metallic bonding
Metallic bonding
🔓 CRACK IT
A metal contains a giant lattice of positive ions surrounded by delocalised electrons. 'Delocalised' means the electrons are not restricted to one atom or one bond.
The attraction between the positive ions and these electrons holds the metal together. Strong attractions often give metals high melting and boiling points.
The delocalised electrons can move and carry charge in both solid and liquid metals. The positive ions do not travel through the solid to conduct electricity.
Metals do not normally dissolve as intact metallic lattices in molecular solvents. A metal reacting with a substance is a different process.
- Metallic bonding
- Strong electrostatic attraction between positive metal ions and delocalised electrons.
🧪 TEST IT
Work on paper. Attempt each question before opening its answer. These are original CrackingChem questions, written in OCR A style.
Magnesium has a giant metallic lattice.
(a) Describe the particles and attraction in metallic magnesium. [2 marks]
(b) Explain why magnesium conducts electricity as both a solid and a liquid. [2 marks]
(c) Explain why magnesium has a relatively high melting point. [2 marks]
Total: 6 marks
Show answer & marking points
(a) Magnesium contains positive metal ions and delocalised electrons [1] with strong electrostatic attraction between them [1]. [2]
(b) Delocalised electrons are mobile in both solid and liquid magnesium [1] and carry electrical charge [1]. [2]
(c) Strong electrostatic attractions act throughout the giant lattice [1], so much energy is needed to overcome them [1]. [2]