Electrical Conductivity of Copper, Gold And Silver

In summary, Copper has the highest electrical conductivity at 60.7 x 106 S m^-1, followed by Silver at 62.9 x 106 S m^-1, and Gold has the lowest conductivity at 48.8 x 106 S m^-1. This is due to the different electron configurations and bonding in each metal. The conductivity is also affected by the density of free electrons in the metal.
  • #1
write2diba
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Copper ::: 60.7 x 106 S m^-1
Silver :::62.9 x 106 S m^-1
Gold :: 48.8 x 106 S m^-1

Why is the electrical Conductivity of these elements this way? I mean down the periodic table it should increase in case of GOLD but instead Gold is have far less value of Electrical Conductivity.
 
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  • #2
What factor should cause it to increase going down the periodic table then?
 
  • #3
There's really no easy way to explain the differences, as they are based on the particular electron configuration of each atom and how they bond together in a metal.
One way of calculating the conductivity is based on the density of free electrons in the metal. Check out the following link (specifically the 3rd section): http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/ohmmic.html
 

1. What is electrical conductivity?

Electrical conductivity is a measure of how easily a material allows electricity to flow through it. It is the reciprocal of electrical resistivity, which measures a material's ability to resist the flow of electricity.

2. How does copper, gold, and silver compare in terms of electrical conductivity?

Copper, gold, and silver are all highly conductive metals, but silver has the highest electrical conductivity of the three. Copper comes in second, followed by gold. This means that silver is the most efficient at allowing electricity to flow through it, followed by copper and then gold.

3. What factors affect the electrical conductivity of copper, gold, and silver?

The main factors that affect the electrical conductivity of these metals are their atomic structure, temperature, and impurities. Metals with a higher number of free electrons and lower resistivity will have higher electrical conductivity. Higher temperatures can also decrease the conductivity, while impurities can impede the flow of electricity.

4. How is electrical conductivity measured for copper, gold, and silver?

Electrical conductivity is typically measured in units of siemens per meter (S/m) or ohm-meters (Ωm). The standard measurement is done using a device called a four-point probe, which applies a known current and measures the voltage to calculate the material's resistance and conductivity.

5. What are the practical applications for the high electrical conductivity of copper, gold, and silver?

The high electrical conductivity of these metals makes them useful for a variety of applications in electrical wiring, electronics, and telecommunications. Copper is commonly used in power transmission and electrical wiring, while gold and silver are often used in circuitry and contacts due to their corrosion resistance and low contact resistance.

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