Metals have characteristic properties that can be explained in terms of bonding.
Briefly describe the bonding in metals that explains such properties. Some substances are molecular with low melting points, soft structure, and low solubility in water. These interactions are collectively referred to as van der Walls forces. The forces become stronger as the total number of electrons within molecules and the surface are of the molecules increase. For example, carbon dioxide melts at a considerably higher temperature than does molecular hydrogen.