the electric in a metal conductor is carried by? postive ions, eletrons, both, or either depends on the metal?

Answer 1

Electrical current in a metal conductor is carried pretty much exclusively by electrons, and the type of metal is irrelevant.

One of the characteristics of atoms of metals is that they possess an outer shell of electrons containing one, two, sometimes three loosely bound electrons. So loose are they that they need only the slightest encouragement (ie an electrical potential) to travel to other atoms.

This means that a current traveling through a wire in a circuit always involves electrons travelling from the negative end to the positive end. But the direction of current is considered to be in the opposite direction - as if there were little positive charges traveling in the metal. Which there aren't.

Answer 2

electrons

Answer 3

electrons