please tell me if i've understood this correctly;

 

- copper atoms bond collectively, not individually

 

- the copper atoms all lose their single outer valence electron* to the 'common pot' (the 'sea of electrons' that allow conduction)

 

- so you basically have lots of copper cations, in a sea of electrons

 

- the bond is caused by the attraction between each cation, and the 'common pot' of electrons

 

 

*copper's electron shells are normally filled, 2,8,18,1? (the 1 valence electron being the one given up for use by all the cations collectively?

thats pretty much it yes.

 

The 'sea' of electrons acts like a sort of glue for the copper cations.

thanks alien.

 

what causes the copper atoms to give up their valence electron?

well, they don't have a very stong hold on the electron and the proximity of other metal atoms and thermal vibrations coupled with some quantum effects allows them to swap over to the other atoms. the fact that an electron leaving an atom will almost immediately be replaced by another electron also lowers the energy required for the transaction to occur.

I would caution against the term "cation" when talking about a metallic bond. They are not charged because they accept and donate electrons at the same time. I think the term metal core is more descriptive.