Question

which statement correctly describes metallic bonds?
a. they form when certain atoms lose electrons and other atoms gain electrons.
b. they involve an attraction between anions and cations.
c. they always involve both a metal and a nonmetal.
d. they can only form between atoms of the same element.
e. they form because electrons can move freely between atoms.

Explanation:

• Option A: Describes ionic bonding (electron transfer between atoms to form ions), not metallic bonding.
• Option B: Anions and cations attraction is ionic bonding, not metallic.
• Option C: Metallic bonds can form between atoms of the same metal (or in alloys, different metals), but the key is not the "always involve nonmetal" (ionic bonds involve metal and nonmetal).
• Option D: Metallic bonds can form in alloys (different metal atoms), so they aren't limited to same - element atoms.
• Option E: Metallic bonds involve a "sea of delocalized electrons" that can move freely between metal atoms, which is the correct description of metallic bonding.

Answer:

E. They form because electrons can move freely between atoms.