Solid structures 1.5

• Metal cations are held together by valence electrons and strong electrostatic forces of attraction between positive metal cations and delocalised electrons
• High melting/boiling point- strong electrostatic forces of attraction between positive metal cations and the sea of delocalised electrons
• Good heat/electricity conductors- delocalised electrons can move freely and carry a charge/carry heat energy
• Malleable and ductile- metal cations can slide past each other to form a new shape
• Make strong alloys- presence of other atoms in metal distorts the symmetry of layers which reduced the ability of metal cations to slide past each other
• Melting points of metal increase as you go across the period because the charge of of the metal cation increases, therefore more electrons in the electron sea