Metals and Alloys

• Metals consist of a giant structure of atoms arranged in regular layers
• The electrons in the outer shell of the giant structure of atoms are delocalised
• There is a strong electrostatic attraction between the sea of delocalised negative electrons and the positive metal ions
• The electrostatic attractions in metals are called metallic bonds and they are strong
• Metals have high melting and boiling points because a great deal of energy is required to break the metallic bonds
• Metals are excellent conductors of heat and electricity because the delocalised electrons can move and they have charge so they can carry a current and thermal energy
• Metals can be bent and shaped because the layers of atoms are able to slide over each other
• An Alloy is a mixture of metals
• The different sizes of atoms in an alloy distorts the layers
• The layer distortion of the alloy makes it difficult for layers to slide over each other
• Alloys are harder than pure metals