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CHEMICAL BONDING
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
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metallic bond


metallic bond
A bond between atoms with similar low electronegativities. Metallic bonding is essentially covalent bonding with delocalized electrons. Metallic nuclei share weakly bonded valence electrons, which form an "electron gas".

Metals have many more empty orbits than electrons available to fill them. For example, iron requires 5 electrons to fill its outermost 3d orbital.

Metallically bonded solids share the following properties: low to moderate hardness, malleability, and ductility (weak delocalized bonds); very good thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity (free electrons in cloud); and form crystals with high symmetry (nuclei pack well).


Related categories

   • CHEMICAL BONDING
   • PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY


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