Metallic structures Flashcards
What are the properties of metals?
- They have a giant structure.
- They have delocalised electrons (sea of free electrons).
- They are good conductors of heat and electricity.
- They have a regular structure.
- The can be bent and shaped.
What are metal properties all due to?
The delocalised electrons (sea of free electrons).
Where do the delocalised electrons come from in metals?
The outer shell of every metal atom in the structure.
How do metals conduct electricity?
Due to the delocalised electrons which are free to move through the whole structure.
Why do metals have a regular structure?
As the delocalised electrons hold the atoms together in the regular structure.
How do the delocalised electrons hold the atoms together in a regular structure?
As there are strong forces of electrostatic attractions between the positive metal ions and the negative electrons.
How can metals be bent and shaped?
The delocalised electrons allow the layers of atoms to slide over each other, so they can be bent and shaped.
What are pure metals sometimes not right for?
Certain jobs.
How do you make metals right for certain jobs?
Scientists mix two or more metals together, creating an alloy with the properties they want.
What happens when another metal is mixed with a pure metal?
Because different elements have different sized atoms, the new metal atoms will distort the layers of metal atoms, making it more difficult for them to slide over each other, so alloys are harder.
In an exam, what might they test you on?
They might describe the physical properties of a substance and ask you to decide what structure it is:
- Giant ionic.
- Simple molecular.
- Giant covalent.
- Giant metallic.
