# Explain why metals have high melting points and are malleable (can be bent and shaped without breaking).

> Cambridge International IGCSE Chemistry (0620) — 2.7 Metallic bonding · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Metals consist of a lattice of positive ions
2. There are strong electrostatic forces of attraction between the positive ions and the sea of delocalised electrons
3. A large amount of energy is needed to overcome these strong forces, giving a high melting point
4. Layers of positive ions can slide over one another without breaking the metallic bonding, because the delocalised electrons move with the ions

## Key terms

- [malleable](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/malleable)

## Related

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