Metallic Bonding

Jean Brainard, Ph.D.

Say Thanks to the Authors

Click http://www.ck12.org/saythanks
(No sign in required)
 AUTHOR
Jean Brainard, Ph.D.
To access a customizable version of this book, as well as other
interactive content, visit www.ck12.org

CK-12 Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission to

reduce the cost of textbook materials for the K-12 market both in
the U.S. and worldwide. Using an open-source, collaborative, and
web-based compilation model, CK-12 pioneers and promotes the
creation and distribution of high-quality, adaptive online textbooks
that can be mixed, modified and printed (i.e., the FlexBook®
textbooks).

Copyright © 2016 CK-12 Foundation, www.ck12.org

The names “CK-12” and “CK12” and associated logos and the
terms “FlexBook®” and “FlexBook Platform®” (collectively
“CK-12 Marks”) are trademarks and service marks of CK-12
Foundation and are protected by federal, state, and international
laws.

Any form of reproduction of this book in any format or medium,

in whole or in sections must include the referral attribution link
http://www.ck12.org/saythanks (placed in a visible location) in
addition to the following terms.

Except as otherwise noted, all CK-12 Content (including CK-12

Curriculum Material) is made available to Users in accordance
with the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 3.0
Unported (CC BY-NC 3.0) License (http://creativecommons.org/
licenses/by-nc/3.0/), as amended and updated by Creative Com-
mons from time to time (the “CC License”), which is incorporated
herein by this reference.

Complete terms can be found at http://www.ck12.org/about/

terms-of-use.

Printed: August 25, 2016

www.ck12.org Chapter 1. Metallic Bonding

C HAPTER
1 Metallic Bonding
• Describe metallic bonds.
• Explain how metallic bonds influence the properties of metals.

The thick, rigid trunk of the oak tree on the left might crack and break in a strong wind. The slim, flexible trunk of
the willow tree on the right might bend without breaking. In one way, metals are like willow trees. They can bend
without breaking. That’s because metals form special bonds called metallic bonds.

What Are Metallic Bonds?

Metallic bonds are forces of attraction between positive metal ions and the valence electrons that are constantly
moving around them (see the Figure 1.1). The valence electrons include their own and those of other, nearby ions
of the same metal. The valence electrons of metals move freely in this way because metals have relatively low
electronegativity, or attraction to electrons. The positive metal ions form a lattice-like structure held together by all
the metallic bonds.

MEDIA
Click image to the left or use the URL below.
URL: https://www.ck12.org/flx/render/embeddedobject/5085

Q: Why do metallic bonds form only in elements that are metals? Why don’t similar bonds form in elements that
are nonmetals?
A: Metal atoms readily give up valence electrons and become positive ions whenever they form bonds. When
nonmetals bond together, the atoms share valence electrons and do not become ions. For example, when oxygen
atoms bond together they form oxygen molecules in which two oxygen atoms share two pairs of valence electrons
equally, so neither atom becomes charged.

Metallic Bonds and the Properties of Metals

The valence electrons surrounding metal ions are constantly moving. This makes metals good conductors of
electricity. The lattice-like structure of metal ions is strong but quite flexible. This allows metals to bend without
breaking. Metals are both ductile (can be shaped into wires) and malleable (can be shaped into thin sheets).

1
 www.ck12.org

FIGURE 1.1
Metallic bonds.

Q: Look at the metalworker in the Figure 1.2. He’s hammering a piece of hot iron in order to shape it. Why doesn’t
the iron crack when he hits it?
A: The iron ions can move within the “sea” of electrons around them. They can shift a little closer together or farther
apart without breaking the metallic bonds between them. Therefore, the metal can bend rather than crack when the
hammer hits it.

FIGURE 1.2
Metal worker shaping iron metal.

2
www.ck12.org Chapter 1. Metallic Bonding

Summary

• Metallic bonds are the force of attraction between positive metal ions and the valence electrons that are
constantly moving around them. The ions form a lattice-like structure held together by the metallic bonds.
• Metallic bonds explain why metals can conduct electricity and bend without breaking.

Review

1. What are metallic bonds?

2. How do metallic bonds relate to the properties of metals?
3. The iron in the metal working picture above (Figure 1.2) is red hot. Infer why the metalworker heats the iron
when he shapes it.

Explore More

Watch the video about metallic bonds at the following URL, and then answer the questions below.

MEDIA
Click image to the left or use the URL below.
URL: https://www.ck12.org/flx/render/embeddedobject/5086

1. What is electricity? Why can metals conduct electricity?

2. What can metals conduct besides electricity?
3. How could you use an empty pop can to demonstrate that metals can bend without breaking?

References

1. Christopher Auyeung. Illustration of metallic bonds . CC BY-NC 3.0

2. Derek Key. Metal worker shaping iron on an anvil . CC BY 2.0