Electrical Conductivity of Metals
Metals are known for their high electrical conductivity compared to nonmetals. This is due to the presence of free electrons within the metallic structure. These electrons are free to move throughout the metal, allowing easy flow of electric current.
Conductivity of metals depends on factors such as temperature, impurities, and crystal structure. In general, pure metals have higher conductivity compared to alloys or impure metals. Conductivity of metals decreases with increasing temperatures due to increased electron-atom collisions.
Electrical Conductivity of some common metals are tabulated below:
Metal |
Conductivity in S/m |
---|---|
Aluminum |
37.7 × 106 |
Calcium |
29.8 × 106 |
Chromium |
7.74 × 106 |
Copper |
59.6 × 106 |
Gallium |
6.78 × 106 |
Gold |
45.2 × 106 |
Iron |
9.93 × 106 |
Magnesium |
22.6 × 106 |
Nickel |
14.3 × 106 |
Platinum |
9.66 × 106 |
Silver |
63 × 106 |
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical conductivity is a fundamental property that measures a material’s ability to conduct electric current. It varies among materials and is influenced by factors such as temperature, material composition, impurities, and pressure. Electrical conductivity is typically measured in siemens per meter (S/m).
Electrical conductivity finds applications in electronics, power transmission, material science, environmental science, geology, biomedical fields, and more. In this article, we learn about electrical conductivity in detail.
Table of Content
- What is Electrical Conductivity?
- Electrical Conductivity Examples
- Electrical Conductivity of Metals
- Factors Influencing Electrical Conductivity
- How is Electrical Conductivity Measured?
- Applications of Electrical Conductivity