2.2.9 Metals as Conductors

• What do metals consist of?

  Metals consist of giant structures.
• What happens within the metal lattice?

  Within the metal lattice, the atoms lose their outer shell electrons and become positively charged metal ions.
• What happens to the outer shell electrons?

  The outer electrons no longer belong to any specific metal atom and are said to be delocalised.
• Why can metals conduct electricity?

  Metals can conduct electricity because the delocalised electrons are able to move through the structure and carry a charge.