Metallic lattices do not contain fixed numbers of atoms. This means that the chemical formula used for a metal is simply the symbol for the element. For example, the formula for iron is Fe, even ...

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 ...

Most metals are malleable – they can be bent and shaped without breaking. This is because they consist of layers of ions that can slide over one another when the metal is bent, hammered or pressed.