+ + - If it loses an electron the atom now has one too many protons in the nucleus. The atom now has a positive charge and is called an ION. This happens in solid metals! - - A normal single metal atom has the same numbers of protons (in the nucleus) as electrons in orbit. The atom is NEUTRAL
The free electrons can move!! + - + - + - + - The free electrons can move!! In a metal electrons are the only carriers of electricity In a solid piece of metal POSITIVE IONS are in a FIXED LATTICE. The cannot move in bulk!!!