How do chemists typically describe the nature of metallic bonding?

• A. As a lattice of positive metal ions surrounded by a sea of delocalized electrons
• B. As the sharing of electron pairs between two nonmetal atoms
• C. As the transfer of electrons from one atom to another resulting in oppositely charged ions
• D. As the overlap of atomic orbitals to form molecular orbitals

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that metallic bonding is a type of chemical bonding unique to metals, which explains many of their characteristic properties such as conductivity and malleability.
2. Recall that in metallic bonding, metal atoms release some of their electrons, which become delocalized and free to move throughout the entire structure.
3. Recognize that the metal atoms themselves become positively charged ions arranged in a regular, repeating pattern called a lattice.
4. The delocalized electrons form a 'sea of electrons' that surrounds these positive metal ions, holding the lattice together through electrostatic attraction.
5. Therefore, chemists describe metallic bonding as a lattice of positive metal ions surrounded by a sea of delocalized electrons, distinguishing it from covalent bonding (sharing electron pairs) and ionic bonding (transfer of electrons).