Solid metallic hydrogen consists of a crystal lattice of atomic nuclei (namely, protons) separated only by a dense electron soup which flows between them.

 

My question is: How are the atomic nuclei bound together? What keeps the nuclei in a crystal lattice structure?

electrostatic attraction to the electron sea. same as in all metals

electrostatic attraction to the electron sea. same as in all metals

 

But if the electrons are constantly flowing around the nuclei, then how can there be electrostatic attraction all the time?

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Also in solid metallic hydrogen, are the individual hydrogen atoms actually bound together to other hydrogen atoms or are they unbound?

Edited December 15, 200916 yr by Uri
Consecutive posts merged.

Solid metallic hydrogen consists of a crystal lattice of atomic nuclei (namely, protons) separated only by a dense electron soup which flows between them.

 

My question is: How are the atomic nuclei bound together? What keeps the nuclei in a crystal lattice structure?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_degeneracy_pressure

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degenerate_matter