C2 - Metals and Alloys

• Why do metals have high melting points?

  • Giant structures of atoms
  • with strong metallic bonds
  • Lots of energy is needed to overcome these bonds
• Why can metals be bent and shaped?

  • Atoms are arranged in layers
  • The layers can slide over eachother
• Why are metals good conductors of electricity/heat?

  • Delocalised electrons
  • That are free to move through the structure
  • And carry charge
  • (or carry thermal energy)
• What is an alloy?

  A mixture of metals
• Why are alloys harder than pure metals?

  • Different sized atoms
  • Distorts the layers
  • Difficult for the layers to slide over eachother