How are metal atoms held together?

1 Answer
Alicia
May 7, 2017

By a 'cloud' or 'sea' of electrons

Explanation:

Metals are effectively lots of positively charged ions with a cloud/sea of delocalised electrons. This means the electrons are free to move throughout the metal, and is also why metals can conduct electricity as the electrons can move. The more delocalised electrons a metal has, the stronger it will be held together.

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