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24 Dec 2025
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Understanding 3.3 Metallic Bonding: A Comprehensive Overview
JJ
@jjstudymaster
1 / 4
What is Metallic Bonding?
Think of metals as having a completely different bonding system compared to ionic or covalent compounds. Metallic bonding creates a structure where positive metal ions sit in a lattice surrounded by a sea of delocalised electrons.
Here's what happens: when metal atoms come together, their outer electrons break free and can move throughout the entire structure. These delocalised electrons aren't attached to any specific atom - they're shared by all the metal ions.
The whole structure is held together by electrostatic forces of attraction between the positive metal ions and the negative sea of electrons. This creates what we call a giant metallic structure because the bonding extends throughout the entire piece of metal.
💡 Key Point: The number of delocalised electrons depends on how many electrons each metal atom loses - magnesium loses 2 electrons per atom, so it contributes more to the electron sea than sodium (which loses just 1).
Why Metals Conduct and Have High Density
Metals are fantastic conductors of electricity because those delocalised electrons can move freely through the lattice to carry electrical current. When you connect a metal to a battery, electrons flow in one end and out the other without any problem.
Heat conduction works similarly - energy spreads quickly through both the metal ions and the mobile electrons throughout the structure. That's why metal spoons get hot so quickly when you leave them in your tea!
Metals typically have high density because the metal ions pack tightly together in their lattice structure. Even though diagrams show them spaced apart for clarity, they're actually crammed close together with the electron sea filling all the gaps.
💡 Remember: It's the mobile delocalised electrons that make metals such good conductors - something ionic and covalent compounds typically can't do.
What Makes Metallic Bonds Strong?
The strength of metallic bonding depends on two main factors that you need to remember for exams. First, the charge on each metal ion - higher charges mean more delocalised electrons and stronger electrostatic attraction. Second, the size of the ion - smaller ions keep the electrons closer to the positive nucleus, creating stronger bonds.
This explains why metals like aluminium have stronger metallic bonding than something like sodium . You can predict properties just by thinking about these two factors.
Malleability and ductility happen because metal ions can slide over each other when force is applied. Unlike ionic compounds that shatter, the electron sea continues to hold everything together even after the structure has been deformed.
💡 Exam Tip: Always mention both charge and size when explaining metallic bond strength - you'll get marks for both factors.
Physical Properties of Metals
Metals generally have high melting and boiling points because of their giant structures. Those strong electrostatic forces between metal ions and the delocalised electron sea require loads of energy to break apart, making it difficult to separate the ions.
Solubility is straightforward - metals are insoluble in water and most solvents because the metallic bonding is simply too strong to be disrupted. The only exception is when metals dissolve in other liquid metals, forming alloys.
Understanding these properties helps you predict how metals will behave in different situations. Whether it's explaining why copper wires conduct electricity or why gold can be hammered into thin sheets, it all comes back to that sea of delocalised electrons.
💡 Quick Check: Can you explain why metals don't shatter like ionic compounds when hit with a hammer? It's all about those layers sliding while staying bonded!
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Stefan S
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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
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The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
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In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
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Understanding 3.3 Metallic Bonding: A Comprehensive Overview
JJ
@jjstudymaster
Metallic bonding is the special type of chemical bonding that gives metals their unique properties like conductivity and malleability. Understanding how metal atoms create a "sea of electrons" will help you explain why metals behave so differently from other materials.
What is Metallic Bonding?
Think of metals as having a completely different bonding system compared to ionic or covalent compounds. Metallic bonding creates a structure where positive metal ions sit in a lattice surrounded by a sea of delocalised electrons.
Here's what happens: when metal atoms come together, their outer electrons break free and can move throughout the entire structure. These delocalised electrons aren't attached to any specific atom - they're shared by all the metal ions.
The whole structure is held together by electrostatic forces of attraction between the positive metal ions and the negative sea of electrons. This creates what we call a giant metallic structure because the bonding extends throughout the entire piece of metal.
💡 Key Point: The number of delocalised electrons depends on how many electrons each metal atom loses - magnesium loses 2 electrons per atom, so it contributes more to the electron sea than sodium (which loses just 1).
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Why Metals Conduct and Have High Density
Metals are fantastic conductors of electricity because those delocalised electrons can move freely through the lattice to carry electrical current. When you connect a metal to a battery, electrons flow in one end and out the other without any problem.
Heat conduction works similarly - energy spreads quickly through both the metal ions and the mobile electrons throughout the structure. That's why metal spoons get hot so quickly when you leave them in your tea!
Metals typically have high density because the metal ions pack tightly together in their lattice structure. Even though diagrams show them spaced apart for clarity, they're actually crammed close together with the electron sea filling all the gaps.
💡 Remember: It's the mobile delocalised electrons that make metals such good conductors - something ionic and covalent compounds typically can't do.
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What Makes Metallic Bonds Strong?
The strength of metallic bonding depends on two main factors that you need to remember for exams. First, the charge on each metal ion - higher charges mean more delocalised electrons and stronger electrostatic attraction. Second, the size of the ion - smaller ions keep the electrons closer to the positive nucleus, creating stronger bonds.
This explains why metals like aluminium have stronger metallic bonding than something like sodium . You can predict properties just by thinking about these two factors.
Malleability and ductility happen because metal ions can slide over each other when force is applied. Unlike ionic compounds that shatter, the electron sea continues to hold everything together even after the structure has been deformed.
💡 Exam Tip: Always mention both charge and size when explaining metallic bond strength - you'll get marks for both factors.
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Physical Properties of Metals
Metals generally have high melting and boiling points because of their giant structures. Those strong electrostatic forces between metal ions and the delocalised electron sea require loads of energy to break apart, making it difficult to separate the ions.
Solubility is straightforward - metals are insoluble in water and most solvents because the metallic bonding is simply too strong to be disrupted. The only exception is when metals dissolve in other liquid metals, forming alloys.
Understanding these properties helps you predict how metals will behave in different situations. Whether it's explaining why copper wires conduct electricity or why gold can be hammered into thin sheets, it all comes back to that sea of delocalised electrons.
💡 Quick Check: Can you explain why metals don't shatter like ionic compounds when hit with a hammer? It's all about those layers sliding while staying bonded!
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user