Why can metals conduct electricty?

This is because of the special type of bonding that occurs in metals. A metal is a giant structure of regularly arranged atoms, the outermost electrons ( check they understand the differences between the subatomic particles) of these atoms is free to move about the entire structure, it is delocalised. Electricity can also be described as the flow of charge, which means it needs freely moving charged particles in order to be conducted. In a metal these free charged particles are the delocalised negatively charged electrons.

AE
Answered by Alicia E. Chemistry tutor

2230 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Explain why graphite conducts electricity


What is the Haber process? What are the optimal conditions for the reaction and why are they not used in practice?


Name the type of reaction that takes place when calcium carbonate is heated strongly?


What are the differences between exothermic and endothermic reactions?


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