Malleable

Metals are typically shiny when freshly cut, strong, dense and solid at room temperature. They usually have high melting and boiling points, conduct electricity and thermal energy well, and are malleable and ductile.

A metal is malleable if it can be hammered or pressed into a new shape without breaking. When a force is applied, layers of metal ions can slide past one another. The delocalised electrons still attract the ions after the layers shift, so metallic bonding continues to hold the metal together.

When forces act on a solid metal, it can often change shape without shattering: a malleable metal can be hammered into sheets, while a ductile metal can be drawn into wires.

A metal is malleable if it can be hammered or pressed into shape, as with metal foil. It is ductile if it can be drawn into a wire. When force is applied, layers of metal ions can slide past one another.