Metals and Alloys

• Metallic bonding

  • Consists of giant structures of atoms arranged in a regular pattern
  • The electrons from the outer shells of the metal atoms are delocalised
  • The delocalised electron can move through the whole structure
  • The attractive forces between the metal atoms and the delocalised electrons result in strong metallic bonding
• Properties of metals

  • Metals are electrical conductors because their delocalised electrons carry electrical charge through the metal
• Alloys

  • An alloy is a mixture of two or more elements where at least one element is a metal
  • Most alloys are harder than the elements they are made from
  • This makes them more useful than pure metals
  • Steel is an example of an alloy