Why are metals malleable and ductile?

Metals are malleable and ductile due to the arrangement of their atoms and the presence of delocalised electrons.

Metals are made up of a lattice of positive ions surrounded by a 'sea' of delocalised electrons. This structure is often referred to as a 'metallic bond'. The delocalised electrons are not associated with any one particular ion, but move freely throughout the entire structure. This unique arrangement of atoms and electrons gives metals their characteristic properties, including malleability and ductility.

Malleability is the ability of a substance to be hammered or rolled into thin sheets without breaking. In metals, when a force is applied, the layers of ions can slide over each other. This is possible because the delocalised electrons can move and adjust to the new positions of the ions, maintaining the metallic bond and preventing the metal from breaking. This is why metals can be hammered or rolled into thin sheets.

Ductility, on the other hand, is the ability of a substance to be drawn out into a thin wire. When a metal is pulled or stretched, the ions in the metal can rearrange themselves. Again, the delocalised electrons play a crucial role here. They can move and adjust to the new positions of the ions, maintaining the metallic bond. This allows the metal to be drawn out into a thin wire without breaking.

In summary, the malleability and ductility of metals can be attributed to their unique atomic structure and the presence of delocalised electrons. These properties make metals incredibly versatile and useful in a wide range of applications, from construction to electronics.