Question

Explain how you can tell which metal is the best conductor, and which is the worst.

Answer 1

Ответ:

Объяснение:

Можно просто посмотреть в таблицу удельных сопротивлений проводников.

Answer 2

The conductivity of a metal refers to its ability to conduct electricity. The higher the conductivity, the better the metal is at conducting electricity. Conductivity is determined by several factors, including the metal's atomic structure and the number of free electrons it possesses. Here are some key factors to consider when determining the conductivity of a metal:

1. Electrical Resistivity: Resistivity is a measure of a material's opposition to electric current flow. The lower the resistivity, the higher the conductivity. Metals with low resistivity are generally good conductors. Resistivity values for different metals can be found in reference tables.

2. Electron Mobility: Electron mobility refers to the ease with which electrons move through a material when subjected to an electric field. Metals with high electron mobility tend to have good conductivity. It depends on factors such as crystal structure, electron interactions, and temperature.

3. Atomic Structure: The arrangement of atoms in a metal can impact its conductivity. Metals with a regular and closely packed atomic structure, such as copper and silver, tend to have high conductivity. The regular arrangement allows electrons to move more freely.

4. Number of Valence Electrons: Valence electrons are the outermost electrons of an atom. Metals with a higher number of valence electrons, like copper or silver, often exhibit better conductivity because they have more electrons available to participate in electrical conduction.

Based on these factors, certain metals are generally considered better conductors than others. For example:

• Silver (Ag) has the highest electrical conductivity among commonly used metals.
• Copper (Cu) is another excellent conductor and is widely used in electrical wiring and transmission of electricity.
• Gold (Au) is also a good conductor but is more expensive, so it is used in specialized applications.
• Aluminum (Al) has relatively high conductivity but is less conductive than copper or silver.
• Iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), and steel are also conductive metals, but their conductivity is lower compared to silver, copper, and aluminum.

It's important to note that there are other factors to consider when selecting a metal for a specific application, such as cost, availability, corrosion resistance, and mechanical properties. Conductivity alone might not be the sole determining factor in some cases.