Beginner Topic 197 of 1102 Bonding & Molecular Structure
Metallic Solids
Metal cations in a lattice with delocalized electrons, giving conductivity and malleability.
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In-depth explanation of Metallic Solids
Metallic solids consist of metal cations arranged in a lattice, with delocalized valence electrons moving freely through the structure. Most metals adopt close-packed structures such as face-centred cubic, body-centred cubic or hexagonal close-packed, which maximize packing efficiency. The electron sea provides electrical and thermal conductivity, while non-directional bonding allows layers of atoms to slide past one another, making metals malleable and ductile. Melting points vary widely between metals depending on the number of valence electrons and the size of the atoms. Alloys combine metals to tune these properties.
Going deeper: Metallic Solids
Key ideas: Common structures: fcc and hcp have packing efficiency 74 percent and coordination number 12, bcc has 68 percent and coordination number 8. Count atoms per unit cell: simple cubic 1, bcc 2, fcc 4. Relationship between edge a and radius r: fcc a equals 2 times square root of 2 times r, bcc a equals 4r divided by the square root of 3.
Common mistakes and connections: Students confuse the stacking sequences: hcp is ABAB and ccp or fcc is ABCABC. Another error is claiming bcc is close packed. Alloys are of two types: substitutional (brass) and interstitial (steel). Links to unit cells, density calculations, malleability and alloys.
Visualization of Metallic Solids
Many metals such as iron and the alkali metals crystallize in the body-centred cubic structure, with eight nearest neighbours in a sea of electrons. The interactive lesson shows this as a live animation or chart.
Worked example and use case
Mercury is liquid at room temperature because its valence electrons form only weak metallic bonding.
Frequently asked questions about Metallic Solids
What is Metallic Solids?
Metal cations in a lattice with delocalized electrons, giving conductivity and malleability.
Is Metallic Solids a beginner, intermediate or advanced topic?
Metallic Solids is a beginner topic in Bonding & Molecular Structure. It needs no earlier chemistry lessons and is a good starting point.
What should I learn before Metallic Solids?
Study these earlier topics in Bonding & Molecular Structure first: Covalent Network Solids, Molecular Solids, Ionic Solids.
What comes after Metallic Solids?
The next topics in Bonding & Molecular Structure are Allotropes of Carbon and Graphite Structure.
Can I practise Metallic Solids with quizzes?
Yes. The interactive lesson includes a self-check question on Metallic Solids, and the Bonding & Molecular Structure quiz draws on every topic in this area.
Where Metallic Solids fits in Bonding & Molecular Structure
Metallic Solids is topic 82 of 104 in Bonding & Molecular Structure.