Structures of Metal from: http://www.chemguide.co.uk/atoms/structures/metals.html

• metals are large groups of metallic bonded atoms
• most metals are densely packed with as many atoms as will fit
• each atom is surrounded by 12 other atoms (6 on each layer)
• 3 atoms below and 3 above
• some metals have only 8 adjacent neighbors
• this is the perfect world scenario
• there are irregularities
• due to the strength of metallic bonds metals have high melting and boiling points
• metallic structure allows for tri-demensional electron movement
• liquid metals coduct electricity as well
• as long as atoms are touching electrons may be transfered
• thermal conductivity is the same as electric conductivity
• malleability and ductility are possible due to the ability of metallic atoms to slide over eachother
• minor amounts of stress may be resisted to the point of metal retaining its shape
• a lack of regularity in grain boundries prohibits the sliding of atoms
• the more individual grains their are the more likely there is to be irregularities and thus the harder the metal
• stress and pressure increase the amount of grains by breaking down large grains thus making metals harder
• harder the metal the more brittle
• heating of metal resets the grains and sets them into a more regular shape thus restoring malleability
• cold working makes metal harder by breaking up metal grains and producing smaller ones
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