| Metallic bond | | Metal atoms are held by electrostatic forces, joined in a particular way that makes them what they are. | | The metallic properties of a given metal, depend on the behavior of the atoms of the metallic elements. The outer electrons of most metal atoms tend to be weakly held to the atomic nucleus. Consequently, these outer electrons are easily dislodged, leaving behind positively charged metal ions. The many electrons easily dislodged from a large group of metal atom flow freely through the resulting metal ion grid, as is depicted below. This "fluid" of electrons holds the positively charged metal ions together in the type of chemical bond known as a metallic bond. |  | | Metal ions are held together by freely flowing electrons. These loose electrons from a kind of "electronic fluid" that flows through the lattice of positively charged ion. | | Previous | Next |
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