AQA · GCSE · Combined Science

    Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018

    Metals consist of giant structures of atoms arranged in a regular pattern.

    Full specification wording

    Metallic bonding: Metals consist of giant structures of atoms arranged in a regular pattern.

    In a metal, vast numbers of identical atoms are packed together in a giant structure.

    Checked against the AQA 8464 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 1 of 2
    • 3 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    In a metal, vast numbers of identical atoms are packed together in a giant structure. The atoms are arranged in a regular, repeating pattern called a lattice, rather than as separate molecules. Each metal atom contributes its outer-shell electrons to a shared pool of delocalised electrons, while the remaining positive ions sit in fixed lattice positions. This arrangement explains typical metallic properties: the layers of ions can slide when the metal is deformed, and the delocalised electrons can move through the structure to carry charge and thermal energy. For example, copper consists of a regular lattice of Cu⁺ ions surrounded by delocalised electrons. The regular pattern extends throughout the piece of metal, so a metal is not a simple molecule and has no fixed molecular formula.

    What earns the marks

    • State that metals form giant structures containing very large numbers of atoms.
    • Describe the atoms as arranged in a regular, repeating pattern or lattice.
    • Explain that the outer electrons become delocalised and are shared throughout the structure.
    • Relate the regular lattice and delocalised electrons to properties such as conduction or malleability.
    • Recognise that the structure is not molecular, so a simple molecular formula does not apply.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Describing a metal as a molecule or as simple molecules.

      Put it right by stating it is a giant lattice of atoms or ions.

    • Saying the atoms are randomly arranged.

      Put it right by stating the arrangement is regular and repeating.

    • Claiming the delocalised electrons are attached to one particular atom.

      Put it right by explaining they are shared throughout the structure.

    Exam tips

    • Use the terms giant structure, regular pattern or lattice and delocalised electrons in your answer.
    • Link the structure to a named property, such as electrical conductivity, to gain credit for explanation.
    • Sketch a simple two-dimensional lattice with plus signs for ions and dots for electrons if a diagram is requested.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Metallic bonding: Metals consist of giant structures of atoms arranged in a regular pattern. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    Which statement describes the structure of a metal such as copper?

    Listen

    In a metal, vast numbers of identical atoms are packed together in a giant structure. The atoms are arranged in a regular, repeating pattern called a lattice, rather than as separate molecules. Each metal atom contributes its outer-shell electrons to a shared pool of delocalised electrons, while the remaining positive ions sit in fixed lattice positions. This arrangement explains typical metallic properties: the layers of ions can slide when the metal is deformed, and the delocalised electrons can move through the structure to carry charge and thermal energy. For example, copper consists of a regular lattice of Cu⁺ ions surrounded by delocalised electrons. The regular pattern extends throughout the piece of metal, so a metal is not a simple molecule and has no fixed molecular formula. A strong answer earns marks for these points. State that metals form giant structures containing very large numbers of atoms. Describe the atoms as arranged in a regular, repeating pattern or lattice. Explain that the outer electrons become delocalised and are shared throughout the structure. Relate the regular lattice and delocalised electrons to properties such as conduction or malleability. A common slip: Describing a metal as a molecule or as simple molecules. Instead, stating it is a giant lattice of atoms or ions. Exam tip: Use the terms giant structure, regular pattern or lattice and delocalised electrons in your answer.

    See it

    A top-down flowchart. The first box, 'Metal atoms packed together', leads to 'Giant structure'. From 'Giant structure' three branches emerge. The first branch goes to 'Atoms in a regular, repeating pattern (lattice)', which leads to 'Layers of ions can slide', which leads to 'Malleability'. The second branch goes to 'Outer electrons become delocalised', which leads to 'Electrons shared throughout the structure', which leads to 'Electrons move through the structure', which leads to 'Conduction of charge and thermal energy'. The third branch goes to 'Not molecular, so no simple molecular formula'.
    It shows how the giant regular lattice and delocalised electrons of a metal link to its malleability, conduction and lack of a simple molecular formula.

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    Giant structures

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    Regular lattices

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    Delocalised electrons

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    See every definition
    Giant structures
    Metals consist of giant structures containing very large numbers of atoms packed together.
    Regular lattices
    The atoms are arranged in a regular, repeating pattern called a lattice, rather than as separate molecules.
    Delocalised electrons
    The outer electrons become delocalised and are shared throughout the structure, not attached to one particular atom.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A top-down flowchart. The first box, 'Metal atoms packed together', leads to 'Giant structure'. From 'Giant structure' three branches emerge. The first branch goes to 'Atoms in a regular, repeating pattern (lattice)', which leads to 'Layers of ions can slide', which leads to 'Malleability'. The second branch goes to 'Outer electrons become delocalised', which leads to 'Electrons shared throughout the structure', which leads to 'Electrons move through the structure', which leads to 'Conduction of charge and thermal energy'. The third branch goes to 'Not molecular, so no simple molecular formula'.

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    • 3Box 3

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