Electrostatic attraction - attraction between a positive and negative substance

Delocalised electrons - shared among 2 or more atoms in a molecule

• Electrons in the outer shell of the metal atoms are delocalised

• There is a strong electrostatic attraction between the sea of delocalised, negative electrons and the positive metal ions

• These forces of attraction hold the atoms together

• The metals can conduct electricity because the delocalised electrons can move

• The electrons can also carry thermal energy, allowing the metals to conduct heat

• Metals can be bent and shaped because the layers of atoms can slide over each other

• Metallic bonds are strong - therefore metals have high melting and boiling points - need lots of energy to be broken

Alloy - mixture of metals

• Alloys are harder than pure metals as the different sizes of atoms distort the layers, making it more difficult for them to slide over each other