Delocalised electrons
What Delocalised electrons means in Combined Science GCSE, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Delocalised electrons
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Reference: AQA
Outer-shell electrons of metal atoms that are not associated with any particular atom and are free to move through the entire metallic structure.
The outer electrons become delocalised and are shared throughout the structure, not attached to one particular atom.
Electrons that are free to move through the structure, allowing graphite to conduct electricity and thermal energy.
Electrons that are not used in bonding and are free to move throughout the layer rather than staying with one atom.
Outer-shell electrons that are shared across the whole lattice and are free to move through it.
Electrons shared across the whole metal lattice in metallic bonding.
Topics that use Delocalised electrons
- Chemical bonds (AQA GCSE)
- Graphite (AQA GCSE)
- Metallic bonding (AQA GCSE)
Related terms
- Comparison of graphite and metals
- Covalent bonding
- Delocalised electrons and conductivity
- Electrical conductivity
- Electron sharing
- Electron transfer
- Electrostatic forces
- Giant covalent structures
Using Delocalised electrons in the exam
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