Bonding in Metals
Metals Made up of closely packed cations Valence electrons “sea of electrons” Can drift freely from one part of the metal to another
Metallic bonds Attraction between the free floating valence electrons and the positively charged metal ions Attraction holds the metal together
Physical properties of metal Due to the “sea of electrons” Good conductors of electricity Ductile Malleable
Crystalline Structure of metals Atoms are arranged in a compact and orderly structure.
Alloys Mixtures of two or more elements (one is always a metal) Example: Brass mixture of copper and zinc Properties are better than the individual element Most important alloy today: Steel