Metallic Bonding
Metallic Bonding
** The valence bonds that hold the
atoms in a metal crystal together are not ionic, nor are they simply covalent
in nature. Ionic bonding is obviously impossible here since all the atoms would
tend to give electrons but none are willing to accept them. Ordinary covalent
bonding is also ruled out as, for example, sodium atom with only one outer-shell
electron could not be expected to form covalent bonds with 8 nearest
neighbouring atoms in its crystal.
** The peculiar type of bonding
which holds the atoms together in metal crystal is called the Metallic Bonding.
** Many theories have been proposed
to explain the metallic bonding. Here we will discuss the
simplest of these : The Electron Sea
Model.
The electron Sea Model
** Metal atoms are characterized by:
(1) Low ionization energies
which imply that the valence electrons in metal atoms can easily be separated.
(2) A
number of vacant electron orbitals in their outermost shell.
For example,
the magnesium atom with the electron configuration 1s2 2s2
2p6 3s2 3p0 has three vacant 3p orbitals in
its outer electron shell.
** There is considerable overlapping
of vacant orbitals on one atom with similar orbitals of adjacent atoms,
throughout the metal crystal. Thus it is possible for an electron to be delocalized
and move freely in the vacant molecular orbital encompassing the entire metal crystal.
The delocalized electrons no longer belong to individual metal atoms but rather
to the crystal as a whole.
** As a result of the delocalization
of valence electrons, the positive metal ions that are produced, remain fixed
in the crystal lattice while the delocalized electrons are free to move about
in the vacant space in between. The metal is thus pictured as a network or
lattice of positive ions of the metal immersed in a ‘sea of electrons’ or ‘gas
of electrons’. This relatively simple model of metallic bonding is referred to
as the Electron Sea model or the Electron Gas model (Fig.1)
** A metallic bond is the
electrostatic force of attraction that the neighbour positive metallic ions have
for the delocalized electrons
physical properties of metals.
The electron sea model of metallic
bonding explains fairly well the most characteristic physical properties of
metals.
(1) Luster or Reflectivity
The delocalized mobile electrons of
the ‘electron sea’ account for this property. Light energy is absorbed by these
electrons which jump into higher energy levels and return immediately to the
ground level. In doing so, the electrons emit electromagnetic radiation (light)
of the same frequency. Since the radiated energy is of same frequency as the incident
light, we see it as a reflection of the original light.
(2) Electric Conductivity
Another characteristic of metals is
that they are good conductors of electricity. According to the electron sea
model, the mobile electrons are free to move through the vacant space between
metal ions. When electric voltage is applied at the two ends of a metal wire,
it causes the electrons to be displaced in a given direction. The best
conductors are the metals which attract their outer electrons the least (low ionization
energy) and thus allow them the greatest freedom of movement.
(3) Heat Conductivity
If a metal is heated at one end, the
heat is carried to the other end. The mobile electrons in the area of the
‘electron sea’ around one end of the metal easily absorb heat energy and
increase their vibrational motion. They collide with adjacent electrons and
transfer the added energy to them. Thus the mobility of the electrons allows
heat transfer to the other end (Fig.3).
(4) Ductility and Malleability
The ductility and malleability of metals can
also be explained by the electron sea model. In metals the positive ions are
surrounded by the sea of electrons that ‘flows’ around them. If one layer of
metal ions is forced across another, say by hammering, the internal structure
remains essentially unchanged (Fig.4).
The sea of electrons adjusts positions
rapidly and the crystal lattice is restored. This allows metals to be ductile
and malleable. However, in ionic crystals of salts e.g., sodium chloride, displacement
of one layer of ions with respect to another brings like charged ions near to each
other. The strong repulsive forces set up between them can cause the ionic
crystals to cleave or shatter. Thus ionic crystals are brittle.
Reference: Essentials of Physical Chemistry /Arun Bahl, B.S Bahl and G.D. Tuli / multicolour edition.
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