The Structure of Metals and its Influence on Metallic Properties

Peter FL and Barry CS

Abstract

This article briefly reviews the current model of metallic structure. An alternative model of metallic structure is described. Limitations of the “ions in a sea of electrons/delocalized electrons” model are provided and properties of metals which can be accounted for by the alternative soft-sphere model are discussed. Data from this alternative proposed model that are used to calculate densities, lattice energies, work functions, and internuclear distances are shown to give good agreement with observed values.