Why metals are good conductor of electricity?

Metals play a vital role in our modern world, enabling the seamless transmission of electrical energy that powers our lives. Have you ever wondered why metals are such excellent conductors of electricity? In this blog, we'll delve into the fascinating reasons behind metals' remarkable conductivity and explore their atomic structure and electron behaviour.

Why can metals conduct electricity?

Metals are excellent conductors of electricity because of their unique atomic structure and the behavior of their electrons. In a metal, the outermost electrons of the atoms, known as valence electrons, are loosely held and can move freely throughout the metal lattice. These "free" electrons are not tightly bound to any particular atom and are delocalized, meaning they are not associated with specific atomic nuclei. 

 
When a voltage is applied across a metal conductor, it creates an electric field. The presence of the electric field causes the free electrons to drift in a particular direction. Since they are mobile and not bound to any specific atom, they can easily move through the metal lattice, passing from atom to atom. 

 
As the free electrons move through the metal, they collide with other atoms and transfer energy. These collisions result in resistance, which is the opposition to the flow of electrons. However, metals generally have low resistance compared to other materials, which makes them good conductors. 

 
The reason metals have such mobile and delocalized electrons is due to the arrangement of their atoms. In metals, the outermost energy levels of the atoms overlap, creating what is known as a "sea of electrons." This electron sea allows the valence electrons to move freely throughout the metal, facilitating the conduction of electricity. 

 
In summary, metals can conduct electricity because their structure allows the valence electrons to move freely, forming a mobile electron sea. This mobility enables the electrons to flow in response to an applied electric field, resulting in the efficient transmission of electrical current through the metal.

The most common metals that are conductors of electricity includes

The most common metals that are excellent conductors of electricity include:

1. Copper (Cu): Copper is widely used in electrical wiring and transmission due to its high electrical conductivity. It is commonly used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications.


2. Aluminum (Al): Aluminum is another widely used metal for electrical transmission and power distribution. It has good conductivity and is lightweight, making it suitable for overhead power lines.


3. Silver (Ag): Silver is the metal with the highest electrical conductivity among all elements. It is an excellent conductor but is less commonly used in electrical applications due to its high cost.


4. Gold (Au): Gold is also a good conductor of electricity, but its high cost limits its use in most electrical applications. It is, however, commonly used in electronics and high-end connectors where its excellent conductivity is required.

These metals possess high electrical conductivity due to their atomic structures and the presence of free or delocalized electrons that can easily move through their lattice structures. 

Which metals are good conductor of electricity?

Copper, aluminum, silver, and gold are all metals that are commonly used as conductors of electricity. However, they differ in terms of their electrical conductivity. 

 
Silver has the highest electrical conductivity among these metals. It is an excellent conductor, with a conductivity of approximately 63 x 10^6 Siemens per meter (S/m) at room temperature. Due to its exceptional conductivity, it is highly efficient in transmitting electrical current. 

 
Copper is the second-best conductor of electricity among these metals. It has a conductivity of about 59 x 10^6 S/m, very close to that of silver. Copper is widely used in electrical wiring and transmission due to its excellent conductivity and relatively low cost. 

 
Aluminum has lower electrical conductivity compared to copper and silver. It has a conductivity of around 36 x 10^6 S/m, which is approximately 60% of the conductivity of copper. Despite having lower conductivity, aluminum is still widely used in electrical applications, particularly for power transmission lines, due to its lightweight nature and cost-effectiveness. 

 
Gold has a relatively lower electrical conductivity compared to copper, silver, and aluminum. It has a conductivity of approximately 45 x 10^6 S/m, which is lower than copper but higher than aluminum. Gold's high cost makes it less practical for general electrical applications, but it is used in specialized areas like high-end electronics, connectors, and contacts due to its excellent corrosion resistance and reliability.

 
In summary, silver has the highest electrical conductivity, followed closely by copper. Aluminum has lower conductivity but is still used extensively in power transmission. Gold, while not as conductive as copper or silver, is valued for its unique properties in specialized applications.