metallic bonds

What is a metallic bond?

A metallic bond is the electrostatic attraction between free-moving valence electrons and positively charged metal cations.

What model represents metallic bonding?

Metallic bonding is modeled as a sea of electrons.

How do the bonding models of sodium metal and sodium chloride (NaCl) differ?

The model for sodium metal shows a sea of electrons with sodium cations, while the model for NaCl shows bonds between sodium cations and chloride anions due to ionic attractions.

What property allows metals to conduct electricity?

Metals conduct electricity because their valence electrons are mobile.

What does it mean for a metal to be malleable?

Malleable metals can be shaped without breaking; when hammered, they change shape as metal cations slide past each other.

Why do metals have high melting and boiling points?

Metals have high melting and boiling points due to strong electrostatic forces between metal cations and surrounding valence electrons.

Why does sodium have a lower melting point than magnesium?

Sodium has a lower melting point because the electrostatic attraction between sodium ions and the sea of electrons is weaker than that between magnesium cations and the sea of electrons.

How does metallic bonding make metals suitable for cookware?

Metallic bonding makes metals malleable, allowing them to be shaped into pots and pans without breaking easily.

What happens to gold atoms when gold is pounded into gold leaf?

When gold is pounded into gold leaf, the gold atoms move and the sea of electrons moves with them, allowing the gold to be flattened into thin sheets.

What effect does the charge of ions have on melting points in metals?

The melting point depends on the ionic charge and the number of valence electrons; higher charges and more valence electrons typically lead to stronger metallic bonds and higher melting points.