Which term describes a bonding type where electrons are largely free to move throughout the substance's lattice?

• A. Metallic Bonding
• B. Multiple Bond
• C. Lewis Structure
• D. Structural Formula

Answer: (A)

Delocalized electrons in a lattice define metallic bonding. In metals, many valence electrons aren’t tied to a single atom; they form a shared electron sea that moves freely around a fixed array of positively charged metal ion cores. This electron mobility lets the lattice conduct electricity and enables the metal to deform without breaking. The other terms describe different concepts: a multiple bond is a localized covalent bond between two atoms; a Lewis structure is a diagram showing valence electrons for molecules; a structural formula shows how atoms are connected but not this delocalized, lattice-wide electron behavior.