Metallic Bonding
4 marks · NormalRead the paragraph and answer the questions.
Solid metals consist of positive metal ions in a sea of delocalised electrons. The bonding involves the electrostatic attraction between the ions and the electrons.
Define metallic bonding.
State what particles are involved in metallic bonding.
Explain how metallic bonding holds the metal together.
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(a) Electrostatic attraction between positive metal ions and delocalised electrons.
(b) Positive metal ions and delocalised electrons.
(c) The strong electrostatic forces between the positive ions and the delocalised electrons keep the ions arranged in a lattice and hold the structure together.
Common mistakes: Confusing ions with atoms; Not specifying both ions and electrons
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Marking points
B1 (a) · 1 mark · Defines metallic bonding as the electrostatic attraction between positive ions and delocalised electrons.
B2 (b) · 1 mark · States positive ions and delocalised electrons are involved.
M1 (c) · 1 mark · Identifies that attraction occurs between positive ions and delocalised electrons.
A1 (c) · 1 mark · Explains that these forces hold the structure together in a lattice.
Worked solution
a) Metallic bonding is the electrostatic attraction between positive metal ions and a sea of delocalised electrons.
b) The particles involved are positive metal ions and delocalised electrons.
c) The metal is held together because the strong electrostatic attractions between the positive ions and the delocalised electrons keep the ions in a regular lattice, resulting in a solid structure.