What is metallic bond?

Answer 1

We generally understand metallic bonding as the dynamic electromagnetic activity that exists between the nuclei of metal atoms and the "free electrons" (delocalized electrons) that "wander" through the metallic matrix. The term free electrons is often associated with the idea of conduction electrons. Consider a "model" and what is happening within it to get a handle on the idea.

Picture a "construct" or matrix of metal atoms. Now consider that not all the electrons within the matrix are "involved" in the structure, and take these electrons out. We end up with basically the same matrix, but without all those "free electrons" within it to wander around. That's the basic metallic crystal structure. Now dump all those delocalized ("free") electrons back into the sturcture and look at the way those electrons and the positively charged nuclei interact. That is metallic bonding.

Metallic bonding is a "general" bonding where all the positively charged nuclei are pulling and tugging on all of the free electrons as those electrons move about in the matrix. No single atomic nucleus forms a metallic bond with an electron, but rather it is a "group effort" or "group effect" of all the atomic nuclei and all those delocalized electrons. It might be viewed as a quantum mechanical phenomenon rather than a "physical" one. A link can be found below for more reading.

Answer 2

Metallic bonding speaks to the the "sharing" of the free electrons (sometimes called delocalized electrons) in a metal structure on the atomic level. It might be better characterized as the dynamic interaction between the atomic nuclei of the metal and those electrons that are not "locked into" the atomic structure of the matrix in which the metal atoms are situated. There are some quantum mechanical implications, but this is the basic sense of what metallic bonding is. Also, do not confuse metallic bonding with covalent bonding, as they are dissimilar, particularly in their explanations of the way the materials with each of those kinds of bonds act. A link can be found below.
The bond formed between metal atoms due to mobile or free electrons
Metallic bonding constitutes the electrostatic attractive forces between the delocalized electrons, called conduction electrons, gathered in an electron cloud, and the positively charged metal ions. Understood as the sharing of "free" electrons among a lattice of positively charged ions (cations), metallic bonding is sometimes compared with that of molten salts; however, this simplistic view holds true for very few metals. In a more quantum-mechanical view, the conduction electrons divide their density equally over all atoms that function as neutral (non-charged) entities. Metallic bonding accounts for many physical properties of metals, such as strength, malleability, ductility, thermal and electrical conductivity,opacity, and luster.

Answer 3

Metallic bonding is the electrostatic attraction between the positive ions and the sea of electrons.