Metallic bonding (intro)
Chemical Bonding (Basics) · Chemistry
Study notes
Explain why copper conducts electricity but sulphur does not, and why copper can be drawn into wires. Step 1: Cu has delocalised valence electrons free to move → carry charge → conducts. Step 2: Sulphur's electrons are locked in covalent S₈ rings → no carriers → insulator. Step 3: Drawing wire: layers of Cu⁺ ions slide past each other; the electron sea flows and re-bonds — no fixed bonds to break. Step 4: In NaCl, sliding brings like charges together → repulsion → shatters (brittle).