Metallic Bond

metallic bond is a type of chemical bond formed between positively charged atoms in which the free
electrons are shared among a lattice of cations. In contrast, covalent and ionic bonds form between two
discrete atoms. Metallic bonding is the main type of chemical bond that forms between metal atoms.
Artwork of a Graphene Sheet
MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images
Metallic bonds are seen in pure metals and alloys and some metalloids. For example, graphene (an
allotrope of carbon) exhibits two-dimensional metallic bonding. Metals, even pure ones, can form other
types of chemical bonds between their atoms. For example, the mercurous ion (Hg22+) can form metal-
metal covalent bonds. Pure gallium forms covalent bonds between pairs of atoms that are linked by
metallic bonds to surrounding pairs.
How Metallic Bonds Work
The outer energy levels of metal atoms (the s and p orbitals) overlap. At least one of the valence
electrons participating in a metallic bond is not shared with a neighbor atom, nor is it lost to form an ion.
Instead, the electrons form what may be termed an "electron sea" in which valence electrons are free to
move from one atom to another.
The electron sea model is an oversimplification of metallic bonding. Calculations based on electronic
band structure or density functions are more accurate. Metallic bonding may be seen as a consequence
of a material having many more delocalized energy states than it has delocalized electrons (electron
deficiency), so localized unpaired electrons may become delocalized and mobile. The electrons can
change energy states and move throughout a lattice in any direction.
Bonding can also take the form of metallic cluster formation, in which delocalized electrons flow around
localized cores. Bond formation depends heavily on conditions. For example, hydrogen is a metal under
high pressure. As pressure is reduced, bonding changes from metallic to nonpolar covalent.
Relating Metallic Bonds to Metallic Properties
Because electrons are delocalized around positively charged nuclei, metallic bonding explains many
properties of metals.
Plasma ball
ImageGap / Getty Images

Electrical conductivity: Most metals are excellent electrical conductors because the electrons in the
electron sea are free to move and carry charge. Conductive nonmetals (such as graphite), molten ionic
compounds, and aqueous ionic compounds conduct electricity for the same reason—electrons are free
to move around.
Thermal conductivity: Metals conduct heat because the free electrons are able to transfer energy away
from the heat source and also because vibrations of atoms (phonons) move through a solid metal as a
wave.
Ductility: Metals tend to be ductile or able to be drawn into thin wires because local bonds between
atoms can be easily broken and also reformed. Single atoms or entire sheets of them can slide past each
other and reform bonds.
Malleability: Metals are often malleable or capable of being molded or pounded into a shape, again
because bonds between atoms readily break and reform. The binding force between metals is
nondirectional, so drawing or shaping a metal is less likely to fracture it. Electrons in a crystal may be
replaced by others. Further, because the electrons are free to move away from each other, working a
metal doesn't force together like-charged ions, which could fracture a crystal through the strong
repulsion.
Metallic luster: Metals tend to be shiny or display metallic luster. They are opaque once a certain
minimum thickness is achieved. The electron sea reflects photons off the smooth surface. There is an
upper-frequency limit to the light that can be reflected.
The strong attraction between atoms in metallic bonds makes metals strong and gives them high
density, high melting point, high boiling point, and low volatility. There are exceptions. For example,
mercury is a liquid under ordinary conditions and has a high vapor pressure. In fact, all of the metals in
the zinc group (Zn, Cd, and Hg) are relatively volatile.
How Strong Are Metallic Bonds?
Because the strength of a bond depends on its participant atoms, it's difficult to rank types of chemical
bonds. Covalent, ionic, and metallic bonds may all be strong chemical bonds. Even in molten metal,
bonding can be strong. Gallium, for example, is nonvolatile and has a high boiling point even though it
has a low melting point. If the conditions are right, metallic bonding doesn't even require a lattice. This
has been observed in glasses, which have an amorphous structure.
Cite this Article
The periodic table may be broken into 3 main parts: metals, semimetals, and nonmetals.
What Are the Parts of the Periodic Table?
Digital illustration of Nitrogen molecule bond
The Main Types of Chemical Bonds
Water molecules
Hydrogen Bond Definition and Examples
Digital illustration of the structure of a diamond.
Properties of Ionic and Covalent Compounds
Amethysts
The 6 Main Types of Solids
A polar bond is a type of covalent chemical bond.
Polar Bond Definition and Examples
The formation of ionic compounds is exothermic because the ionic bonds give stability to the atoms. The
excess energy is released as heat.
Why the Formation of Ionic Compounds Is Exothermic
What Is a Crystal?
Water molecule
What Causes Hydrogen Bonding?
It's much easier to learn chemistry if you understand the meaning of vocabulary words. There are a lot
of them, so a good dictionary or glossary helps!
Chemistry Vocabulary Terms You Should Know

Close up view of ball and stick molecular model.
Why Do Atoms Create Chemical Bonds?
Lists of the physical properties of metals and non metals.
Metals Versus Nonmetals - Comparing Properties
Covalent bond
Ionic vs Covalent Bonds - Understand the Difference
Water molecules
What Is a Covalent Bond in Chemistry?
The periodic table of the elements is an essential chemistry resource.
Periodic Table Study Guide - Introduction & History
Cobalt is a hard, silvery-gray metal.
List of Periodic Table Groups
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metallic bond is a type of chemical bond formed between positively charged atoms in which the free

Artwork of a Graphene Sheet

MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images

How Metallic Bonds Work

Relating Metallic Bonds to Metallic Properties

ImageGap / Getty Images

How Strong Are Metallic Bonds?

What Are the Parts of the Periodic Table?

Digital illustration of Nitrogen molecule bond

The Main Types of Chemical Bonds

Hydrogen Bond Definition and Examples

Digital illustration of the structure of a diamond.

Properties of Ionic and Covalent Compounds

The 6 Main Types of Solids

A polar bond is a type of covalent chemical bond.

Polar Bond Definition and Examples

Why the Formation of Ionic Compounds Is Exothermic

What Causes Hydrogen Bonding?

Chemistry Vocabulary Terms You Should Know

Why Do Atoms Create Chemical Bonds?

Lists of the physical properties of metals and non metals.

Metals Versus Nonmetals - Comparing Properties

Ionic vs Covalent Bonds - Understand the Difference

What Is a Covalent Bond in Chemistry?

The periodic table of the elements is an essential chemistry resource.

Periodic Table Study Guide - Introduction & History

Cobalt is a hard, silvery-gray metal.

List of Periodic Table Groups

Science, Tech, Math

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