What is the arrangement of positive metal ions compared to valence electrons in a metallic bond? a. the valence electrons are free to move between different ions, while the positive metal ions are fixed in place. b. the valence electrons are fixed in place, while the positive metal ions are free to move within the electron sea. d. both the valence electrons and positive metal ions can move freely within the bonds to form a malleable solid. d. both the valence electrons and positive metal ions have fixed positions to form a crystal structure.

A. The valence electrons are free to move between different ions, while the positive metal ions are fixed in place.

Explanation:

Metallic bonds are bonds that joins metals and alloys together. In metallic bonding, there is an actual attraction between the positive nuclei of all the closely packed atoms in the lattice and the electron cloud that is jointly formed by all atoms by losing their outermost shell electrons.

In metallic bonds, the valence electrons in shells of the metal atoms are pooled together to form a cloud of electron between interacting metal atoms. These pool of electrons establish an attraction with the closely packed positive nuclei and the inner shell electrons.

The electron sea formed by the valence electrons are free to move between different ions and atoms. This is why metals have various properties. The positive nuclei is fixed in position.