U3S6 Metallic Bonding

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms and definitions from metallic bonding concepts.

Metallic bonding

Bonding in metals caused by a lattice of nuclei surrounded by a sea of delocalized valence electrons shared among many atoms.

Delocalized electrons

Mobile electrons not bound to any specific atom; can move freely through the metal lattice.

Electron sea model

A simple model of metallic bonding where electrons flow easily between metal nuclei, like a sea of electrons.

Valence electrons

Outermost electrons available for bonding; in metals, these electrons are largely delocalized.

Molecular orbitals

Orbitals formed by the combination of atomic orbitals that create shared regions of electron density.

Bands

Energy ranges formed when many molecular orbitals in a solid overlap; electrons can move between bands in metals.

Band theory

Theory that explains metal properties by overlapping orbitals to form bands and allowing electron movement between them.

Conductivity

Ability to conduct electricity and heat; high in metals due to freely moving delocalized electrons.

Malleability

Ability of metals to be hammered or rolled into shapes without breaking.

Ductility

Ability to be drawn into wires without breaking; a result of metal bonding and electron mobility.

Luster

Shiny appearance of metals, caused by interaction of light with moving electrons across bands.

Alloys

Homogeneous mixtures of two or more metals with properties different from their constituent metals.

Bronze

Copper and tin (or aluminum) alloy.

Brass

Copper and zinc alloy.

Rose gold

Gold and copper alloy.

Steel

Iron alloyed with chromium and nickel (a common stainless steel composition includes these elements).