Hardcore! The protons will hold together because they are in parallel paths. There is no \(E\) field as long as the charges are in motion.
More importantly,
Each atom can only bond with two other atoms. This makes the lattice structure weak and the metal is soft and shears easily. The outer most electron is not involved in bonding the lattice together. This electron is relatively free to participate in chemical reactions, the metal is thus very reactive.
