Properties of metals
Most Shiny element that is a good conductor of electricity and heat, and which forms basic oxides. have high The temperature at which a solid changes into a liquid as it is heated., so they are in the solid state at room temperature (except for mercury). In addition, most metals are:
- strong
- hard
- Capable of being hammered or pressed into a new shape without being likely to break or return to the original shape., so they can be beaten or pressed into shape
- A ductile material is capable of being drawn into thin sheets or wires without breaking., so they can be made into wires
- good conductors of heat and electricity
Metallic structure
Water is made up of simple A collection of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.. However, in metals, large numbers of metal Electrically charged particle, formed when an atom or molecule gains or loses electrons. are organised in a regular arrangement to make a The structure of a metal. The metal atoms are arranged in a regular pattern of layers, with delocalised electrons able to move between them..
The diagram shows a simple model of metallic structure. The metal ions are shown as tiny spheres, packed closely together in a regular pattern.
The ions in the structure are held together by strong Bonding in metal elements consisting of a giant structure of metal atoms and their delocalised electrons moving between them.. These bonds are not explained by this model.