Metallic solids have unusual properties: in addition to having high thermal and electrical conductivity and being malleable and ductile, they exhibit luster, a shiny surface that reflects light. An alloy is a mixture of metals that has bulk metallic properties different from those of its constituent elements.

Electrons in Metallic Solids

Metallic solids are unique because they have a special type of bonding between their atoms called metallic bonding. In metallic bonding, the valence electrons of the atoms are not shared between them, but instead form a "sea" of electrons that are free to move throughout the structure of the solid.

Electrons in metallic solids exhibit behavior similar to that of molecules of gas. They are not bound to any particular atom, but instead move freely throughout the entire structure of the solid. This makes them highly mobile and able to conduct electricity and heat very well.

In metallic solids, the movement of electrons is not random like in a gas, but is instead strongly influenced by the structure of the solid. The electrons move in a coordinated way, following the pattern of the lattice structure of the metal atoms.

This behavior of electrons in metallic solids is what gives metals their unique properties, such as their high electrical and thermal conductivity, their ductility and malleability, and their shiny metallic luster.

Conclusion

In conclusion, electrons moving like molecules of gas exist in metallic solids. This behavior is a result of the unique bonding between metal atoms, known as metallic bonding, which allows for the free movement of electrons throughout the entire solid structure. This behavior of electrons is what gives metals their unique properties and makes them so useful in a wide variety of applications.