Materials that allow the flow of charge ( current) or thermal energy (heat) through it with less resistance are considered good conductors and conductivity is the measure of the ability of a conducting material through which an electron or electric charge or heat can flow.
Materials in nature are broadly classified into three categories: conductors, insulators, and semiconductors. Among these categories, metals are classified as conductors. Conductors are known for their exceptional ability to conduct electrical current.
Metals, in particular, stand out as some of the most conductive elements in this category. They allow the flow of electrical charge with minimal resistance, making them essential in various applications where efficient electrical conduction is required.
On the other end of the spectrum, we find insulators, such as wood, ceramics, and plastics. Insulators are the least conductive materials, as they inhibit the flow of electrical current. In contrast, semiconductors fall in between. Semiconductors are unique in that their conductivity can be modified by factors like temperature.
Unlike metals, which have a positive temperature coefficient, causing their conductivity to decrease at higher temperatures due to electron collisions resulting in increased resistance, semiconductors exhibit a negative temperature coefficient. This means that their conductivity tends to increase as temperatures rise, making them pivotal components in electronic devices where precise control of electrical properties is necessary.
Electrical conductivity tells us how well a material will allow electricity to travel through it. Most people think that copper wires have great electrical conductivity but they are not correct we have many other metals that have more conductivity than copper.
Note: Electrical conductivity is denoted by the symbol: 蟽 (sigma).
Conductive metals serve two primary phenomena:
Electric conductivity鈥擨t is the measure of the amount of electrical current a material can carry in other words, it is the ability to carry a current. Electrical conductivity is also known as specific conductance. It is the reciprocal of electric resistivity. Conductivity is an intrinsic property of a material.
Thermal conductivity鈥擨t is a property of conducting material that describes the ability of a material to conduct or transfer heat. More specifically thermal conductivity can be defined as “the quantity of heat transmitted through a unit thickness of a material in a direction normal to a surface of the unit area – due to a unit temperature gradient in the steady state”.
Heat can only be transferred through these three means: conduction, convection, and radiation. In addition, conduction is perhaps the most common means of heat transfer and occurs regularly in nature. Heat transfer occurs at a lower rate in materials of low thermal conductivity than in materials of high thermal conductivity.
Note: Generally, metals having high electrical conductivity also have high thermal conductivity.
The most conducting metals on Earth
Silver is the most conductive of all metals. If we compare silver, copper, and gold on a scale of 0 to 100, silver ranks 100, with copper at 97 and gold at 76.
- Silver: Silver tops the list as the most conductive metal, both electrically and thermally. It has the highest electrical conductivity of all metals. This is because silver only has one valence electron. In addition, this single electron is free to move around with little resistance. Its conductivity (蟽) is 6.30脳107. Its unparalleled conductivity makes it ideal for high-performance applications such as electrical contacts, conductors, and advanced electronics.
- Copper: The second most conductive metal on earth. Other than electrical conductivity it is widely used for its good thermal conductivity in coating high-end cookware and kitchen appliances for commercial applications. Its conductivity (蟽) is 5.96脳107.
- Gold: Gold occupies the third most conductive metal on earth. It provides resistance against corrosion or getting or tarnish, unlike other highly conductive metals such as copper and silver. It is a very soft and pliable material, which can be easily drawn out into narrow wires or plated into thin coatings. Gold has played an important role in the electronics sector for decades. It is used in making connectors, switch, and relay contacts, connecting wires, and connection strips. Its conductivity (蟽) is 4.11脳107.
- Aluminum: It has a low density so it is a lightweight metal and also has high corrosion resistance, this makes this metal perfect for the aeronautic and communication industries. This is the reason it is widely used in the long-distance supply of electricity. Its conductivity (蟽) is 3.77脳107.
- Zinc: It is a moderately good conductor of electricity. At room temperature, zinc is brittle (hard but easily broken), but it becomes malleable at 100 C. Which means it can be bent and shaped without breaking. Zinc is much less conductive than the upper four counter members. Its conductivity (蟽) is 1.69脳107.
- Nickel (Ni): Nickel offers decent conductivity and excellent corrosion resistance. It is often used in electroplating, batteries, and alloying with other metals to improve their properties. Nickel’s stability and durability are key factors in its widespread application.
- Brass: An alloy of copper and zinc, brass combines the conductivity of copper with the corrosion resistance of zinc. It is widely used in electrical connectors, plumbing, and decorative applications due to its excellent machinability and attractive appearance.
- Bronze: Bronze, an alloy primarily of copper and tin, provides good conductivity and resistance to wear and corrosion. Its applications range from electrical connectors and bearings to artistic and architectural elements.
- Iron (Fe): While not as conductive as the aforementioned metals, iron’s structural strength and magnetic properties make it indispensable in electrical and industrial applications. It is a key component in transformers, motors, and various construction materials.
- Platinum (Pt): Platinum’s conductivity, along with its exceptional resistance to corrosion and high melting point, makes it valuable in specialized applications such as catalytic converters, laboratory equipment, and certain electronic components.
- Lead (Pb): Lead, though low in conductivity, is utilized in batteries, radiation shielding, and some types of solder due to its density and malleability.
Note: The values of electrical conductivity are compared at 20 掳C/ 68 掳F/ 293 K (S/m).
Most Conductive Metals in Order
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1.
Silver
Silver is highly conductive and widely used in electronics, photography, and industry.
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2.
Copper
Copper is highly conductive and commonly used in electrical wiring, plumbing, and industry.
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3.
Gold
Gold is highly conductive and valued for its corrosion resistance, used in electronics and jewelry.
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4.
Aluminum
Aluminum is lightweight and has good conductivity, used in aerospace, construction, and packaging.
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5.
Zinc
Zinc has moderate conductivity and is used in galvanizing, batteries, and die casting.
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6.
Nickel
Nickel is used in alloys and plating due to its conductivity and resistance to corrosion.
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7.
Brass
Brass has good conductivity and is used in musical instruments, plumbing, and decorative items.
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8.
Bronze
Bronze has fair conductivity and is used in art, sculpture, and marine applications.
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9.
Iron
Iron has lower conductivity but is crucial in construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure.
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10.
Platinum
Platinum is a noble metal with moderate conductivity, used in jewelry, catalytic converters, and industry.
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11.
Carbon Steel
Carbon steel has lower conductivity but is essential in construction, automotive, and manufacturing.
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12.
Lead
Lead has poor conductivity but is used in applications requiring density, such as radiation shielding and batteries.
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13.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel has moderate conductivity and high durability due to its iron content, used in various industries including construction and appliances.
Why silver is the best conductor of electricity?
The reason behind silver being the most conductive metal is its electronic configuration (configuration of electrons), such as 2, 8, 18, 18, and 1 electron per shell. This configuration tells that the last shell has only one electron loosely bonded to the nucleus.
This valence electron in silver helps to contribute to the electrical conductivity by being in the conduction band. Besides, the larger size of the silver atom creates a lesser influence of the nucleus over the electrons, thus making it more suitable for the conduction of electricity and heat than any other element.
In conclusion, metals like silver and copper are a few of the metals with this particular characteristic. That is the reason why they are great electric and thermal conductors.
Using silver for the conduction of electricity will be the best, but silver is a more costly metal than copper so silver has very few electrical applications in use it is often used for solder, electrical contacts, and printed circuit boards. Copper is cost-effective so it is widely used for conduction all over the world.
FAQs
1. What are the top 10 most conductive metals?
The top 10 most conductive metals, ranked by their electrical conductivity, are:
- Silver (Ag)
- Copper (Cu)
- Gold (Au)
- Aluminum (Al)
- Calcium (Ca)
- Beryllium (Be)
- Tungsten (W)
- Zinc (Zn)
- Nickel (Ni)
- Iron (Fe)
2. What is the best conductor of electricity?
The best conductor of electricity is silver. Its atomic structure allows electrons to move more freely than in any other metal, making it the most efficient material for electrical conduction.
3. What are the 4 most conductive metals?
The four most conductive metals are:
- Silver (Ag)
- Copper (Cu)
- Gold (Au)
- Aluminum (Al)
4. Is gold the most conductive metal?
No, gold is not the most conductive metal. While gold is a very good conductor and has excellent corrosion resistance, it ranks third in electrical conductivity, behind silver and copper.
5. What is the least conductive metal?
The least conductive metal among common metals is mercury. It has a much lower electrical conductivity compared to metals like silver, copper, and gold.
6. What is the best conductor of heat?
Silver is also the best conductor of heat, similar to its status as the best conductor of electricity. Its high thermal conductivity makes it ideal for applications requiring efficient heat transfer.
7. Why is silver the most conductive?
Silver is the most conductive metal because of its unique atomic structure. The electrons in silver atoms can move more freely than in other metals, allowing electricity to pass through with less resistance. This makes silver the best material for high-conductivity applications.
8. Why is copper used more than silver in electrical wiring?
Copper is used more than silver in electrical wiring primarily because it is much more affordable and still offers excellent conductivity. Silver, while more conductive, is significantly more expensive.
9. Can aluminum be used for electrical wiring?
Yes, aluminum can be used for electrical wiring. It is lighter and less expensive than copper, making it a popular choice for certain types of wiring, particularly in power grids and overhead power lines. However, it is less conductive than copper.
10. How does temperature affect the conductivity of metals?
Temperature affects the conductivity of metals by increasing the resistance as the temperature rises. This is because higher temperatures cause metal atoms to vibrate more, which can scatter the electrons that carry the electrical current, reducing conductivity.
Feel free to ask if you have any more questions about conductive metals!