Which materials conduct electricity guide, Electrical conductivity advice, Electron flow conductor
Which Materials Conduct Electricity?
19 May 2022
Did you know that your body contains enough electricity to power a lightbulb?
While our bodies can conduct an astounding amount of electricity, this rarely makes for any practical use. Instead, we rely on various materials that conduct electricity to make our everyday lives easier.
But have you ever taken a minute to consider electrical conductivity? This guide explains everything you need to know about which materials conduct electricity.
Read on for an informative and electrifying guide to the materials that conduct electricity.
What is Electrical Conductivity?
Electrical conductivity is how readily a material allows electrons to flow through it. Scientists use experiments and calculations to determine the specific values of different materials.
The higher the electrical conductivity, the lower the resistance. A conductor has high electrical conductivity. Insulators have high electrical resistance. Both attributes are affected by heat, environment, and material purity.
We use a variety of different metals for their conductive properties.
Does Copper Conduct Electricity?
Copper is the best known conductive material. Almost every home and business relies on copper wiring to keep the lights on and the AC running.
The conductive properties of copper make it crucial for countless everyday uses. The device you’re using to read this article is full of tiny copper wires.
On a large scale, under and over-ground copper cables supply your whole home right now. Without copper, our modern electrical network would be impossible.
Does Aluminum Conduct Electricity?
Aluminum is a metal with strong electrical conductivity. One pound of aluminum has the conductive capability of 2 pounds of copper. It is cost-effective and has replaced copper in many industrial applications.
Its high density and cheap cost make it an excellent option for industrial electrical applications, including power cables, interconnections, and even pylon towers. Satellite dishes also frequently utilize aluminum. Follow the link to learn more about why metals make good conductors.
Does Water Conduct Electricity?
Water itself is not a conductor of electricity. Pure water doesn’t contain the ions and salts needed to carry an electrical charge.
However, pure water doesn’t occur in nature. This means that all water sources we encounter can conduct electricity somehow. Water is a poor conductor compared to most metals. However, it is still a bad idea to mix water and electricity.
Water shocks cover the surface and get into the nooks and crannies of your skin better than solid contact, increasing your skin’s exposure to the shock.
Which Materials Conduct Electricity Best?
While every metal has a conductivity rating, copper and aluminum are the most widely used. This is because of its low production cost and high conductivity.
In summary, every material will conduct electricity to some degree. However, only a few are useful for their conductive properties compared to their production cost.
If you found this article informative, check out the rest of our blog for everything you need to know about which materials conduct electricity and more science-related topics.
Comments on this guide to Which materials conduct electricityarticle are welcome.
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