Metals are normally hard, shiny solids that work well in conducting heat.

The
particles that make up metallic objects are bonded together by metallic bonds.
Metallic bonds are very strong and this is why you need a lot of heat to actually
destroy or break the bonds. Metals such as copper, gold, silver, aluminum and
even iron etc. contain electrons that are free to move in the metal structure.
Metallic bonding is the strong attraction between closely packed positive metal
ions and a 'sea' of delocalized electrons. Metallic bonds happen between 2
metals. The combined metal ions form a lattice and are held by electrostatic
forces. Any valence electron can move to any atom in a metallic material (a piece
of steel, or gold).

The metal ions are also called cations because they have a positive charge. This
means that they do not hold on to the extra valence electrons which is causing
them to be unstable (unfilled electron shells). This also means that now, they
have more positive protons locked in the nucleus than electrons in the shells.
The positive charge is greater so the ions are positively charged.
The attraction between the metal ions and the delocalized electrons must be
overcome (broken) in order to melt or to boil a metal. These attractive forces
are strong, so metals have high melting and boiling points.

The delocalized electrons are able to move through the metal structure. When
electrons move through the metal, they allow an electric current to flow through
the metal as well as heat. Therefore metals are good conductors of heat and
electricity.

The positive cations (metal ions) and the free negative electrons bind in such a
way that metals are malleable- this means that they can be hammered into
different shapes and not shatter like glass. This is because of the free electrons
that are all over the metal. They are always present to bind with the positively
charged metal ions and this allows the metal to still hold. Metals are also ductile
meaning that they can be stretched and not burst like a rubber band.