A metallic bond is held together by electrostatic forces of interaction, while an ionic bond is held together by electrostatic forces of attraction by oppositely charged cations and anions. The ionic bond has one atom donate electrons to become positively charge while the other atom receives electrons and becomes negatively charged. The opposite charges then attract one another to create the electrostatic force of attraction. In contrast, the electrons in a metallic bond are delocalised, then the nucleus attracts this free moving electrons to establish electrostatic forces of interaction. The structure shows positive charge surrounded by negative charge.
