Question
Why are metals generally ductile and malleable?
Solution
Atoms of metals have loosely bound electrons and thus electrons in a metal move at random throughout the crystal. The positively charged kernels, formed by the separation of valence electrons, tend to repel each other, but are held together by mobile electron cloud. This force of attraction is known as metallic bond. Since the binding energy in metals is due to the metallic bond, the positive charged kernels in two adjacent planes can slide over each other without breaking the lattice. If the stress is applied beyond a certain limit, the positive charged kernels slide over one another and do not return to their original position. However, the metals do not break owing to metallic bond. That is why, metals are malleable and ductile.
