Electrical Conductivity
Electrical conductivity is a physical property of materials that represents a material’s ability to conduct electric current. The SI unit of electrical conductivity is siemens per meter (S/m).
The electrical conductivity of a material is determined by several factors, including the density and mobility of charge carriers (such as electrons or ions), the structure of the material, temperature, and other environmental factors.
Materials with high electrical conductivity, such as metals and some types of salts and solutions, are commonly used in electrical and electronic applications, where they are used to carry electric current with minimal resistance or loss of energy. Other materials with low electrical conductivity, such as insulators and semiconductors, are used in applications where they can be used to control or manipulate the flow of electric charge.
Materials with the highest electrical conductivity
Here are seven materials with the highest electrical conductivity:
- Silver – Silver has the highest electrical conductivity of all metals and is widely used in electrical and electronic applications due to its low resistance and high thermal conductivity.
- Copper – Copper is the second-most conductive metal after silver and is commonly used in electrical wiring and electronic components.
- Gold – Gold is a good conductor of electricity and is commonly used in electronic connectors, switches, and other components due to its corrosion resistance and low reactivity.
- Aluminum – Aluminum is a lightweight metal with good electrical conductivity and is used in a variety of electrical applications, such as power transmission and distribution.
- Tungsten – Tungsten has a high melting point and is a good conductor of electricity, making it useful in high-temperature electrical applications such as incandescent light bulbs and vacuum tubes.
- Platinum – Platinum is a dense, corrosion-resistant metal with high electrical conductivity and is used in a variety of electrical and electronic applications.
- Brass – Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc that has good electrical conductivity and is commonly used in electrical connectors, switches, and other components.
Electrical Conductivity and Materials
Electrical conductivity can be defined as how much voltage is required to get an amount of electric current to flow. This is largely determined by the number of electrons in the outermost shell; these electrons determine the ease with which mobile electrons are generated. Another factor is the number of atoms per unit volume, which determines the number of electrons that will readily move in response to an electric field. Materials that have high electrical conductivity are typically metals and alloys, as well as some types of salts and solutions. This is because these materials have a large number of free electrons that are not bound to individual atoms and are able to move freely through the material.
Metals such as copper, aluminum, silver, and gold are well-known for their high electrical conductivity and are commonly used in electrical and electronic applications. Other metals and alloys with high electrical conductivity include tungsten, platinum, and brass.
Some types of salts and solutions also have high electrical conductivity due to the presence of free ions that can carry an electric charge. For example, solutions of sodium chloride (table salt) or other salts can conduct electricity well, as can some types of acids and bases.
