The image and description below summarizes the properties of metals.

Source: Metallic Bonding, Univeristy of Wisconsin, Green Bay

1. Outermost electrons wander freely through metal. Metal consists of cations held together by negatively-charged electron "glue."
2. Free electrons can move rapidly in response to electric fields; hence, metals are a good conductor of electricity.
3. Free electrons can transmit kinetic energy rapidly; hence, metals are good conductors of heat.
4. The layers of atoms in metal are hard to pull apart because of the electrons holding them together; hence, metals are tough. Individual atoms, however, are not held to any other specific atoms; hence, atoms slip easily past one another. Thus, metals are ductile and malleable.

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