Metallic bonding
From Chemistry Resource
Metals have a tendency of forming cations. Solid crystalline metals can be pictured as a three-dimensional array of positive ions that have fixed positions in the crystal. The valence electrons of these ions move freely throughout the crystal.
In the solid, the free moving electrons allow for high thermal and electrical conductivity (i.e. the electrons can carry the heat energy and electricity). The bonding of atoms in metals is referred to as metallic bonds.
