Metallic bonding is best described as
- A. the sharing of electrons between two adjacent atoms
- B. the attraction between a lattice of positive ions and a sea of delocalised electrons
- C. the transfer of electrons from one metal atom to another
- D. hydrogen bonding between metal atoms
Explanation
The valence electrons are free to move throughout the whole structure, which accounts for electrical and thermal conductivity, lustre and the ability of the metal to be hammered into shape without shattering. Because the bonding is non directional, layers of ions can slide without breaking the structure. Strength increases with the number of delocalised electrons per atom.