Describe briefly the nature of metallic bonding and use this to explain why metals are malleable (can be hammered into shape) and conduct electricity

Metallic bonding occurs as a result of the electrical attraction forces between the protons in the nuclei of the metal species and the delocalised electrons (which form a sea of electrons surrounding the array of protons). The malleability is achieved due to the ease of sliding layers of metal ions past each other, thus giving a different shape. The conductance of electricity is due to the potential difference created between the sea of delocalised valence electrons and the positive protons.

MA
Answered by Miroslav A. Chemistry tutor

14353 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

The lattice enthalpies of calcium oxide and magnesium oxide are different. Comment on this difference.


Elemental analysis of a carbohydrate X showed the sample contained 48.7 % carbon and 8.1 % hydrogen by mass. Find the empirical formula of X.


Why can endothermic reactions occur spontaneously if the entropy change is negative for a cooling process?


What is the mechanism for the nucleophilic substitution of a halogenoalkane?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning