Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Metallic bonds are the force of attraction between valence electrons and the metal ions. They are strong, allowing metals to conduct electricity and heat.
Related terms
Conductivity: The measure of a material's ability to conduct electricity. Metals have high conductivity due to their metallic bonding.
Malleability: The property of a substance that allows it to be hammered or rolled into sheets without breaking. This is another characteristic feature of metals due to their unique bonding.
Delocalized Electrons: These are electrons in a molecule, ion or solid metal that are not associated with a single atom or one covalent bond. In metallic bonds, these delocalized electrons allow for properties such as electrical conductivity and malleability.