In the diagrams presented in the other three sections, the points show where atoms would lie if there were no motion due to heat; that is, if the metal's temperature were at absolute zero (-273°C).

There are two different structures for covalent bonding. When ionic bonding forms between a metal and a non-metal, lots of ions group together to form a giant ionic lattice. A giant ionic lattice ...

Their crystalline structure allows them to be 'worked' to make them stronger. Mark Miodownik describes the advantages that metal had over earlier substances used by humans such as rock and bone ...

When a liquid metal cools and turns into a solid, its atoms come together to form crystals. The structure of these crystals is not perfect. Sometimes an extra layer of atoms squeezes between other ...