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CHEM 121 Studioby Learn4Less · UBC CHEM 121

CHEM 121 glossary

Metallic solid

A solid made of metal atoms whose valence electrons are delocalized over the whole crystal (metallic bonding). It conducts electricity and heat as a solid, is lustrous, and is malleable and ductile rather than brittle.

Metallic bonding: cations in a sea of electronsMetal cations sit in a regular array and their valence electrons are delocalized over the whole solid, moving freely between them. The attraction between the cations and the electron sea holds the metal together and lets it conduct electricity.+++++++++++++++metal cations in a sea of delocalized e⁻conducts electricity; malleable and ductile

Example

Copper conducts as a solid and can be drawn into wire. Melting points span a huge range: mercury melts at −38.8 °C, tungsten at 3422 °C.

See alsoMetallic bondingIonic solidCovalent-network solid