What is the def. of a metal & can aluminium conduct electricity? If not, why is it classified as a metal?

Answer 1

From ancient times, metals have been identified by four qualities that they all have:

CONDUCTIVITY. They can conduct electricity. All of them. We understand why this is these days - metal atoms together tend to share a very loose electron orbital which allows some electrons to move freely through space without being anchored to one particular atom. If you cool metals enough, they become superconductors. And most of the conduct heat well, too.

MALLEABLE and DUCTILE. Something is malleable if its shape can be deformed, particularly by hammering and the like. Something is ductile if it can be drawn out into a wire. Try these with a ceramic and it will just break (which was part of the problem with high-temperature superconductors... it was really hard to make wires out of them)!

LUSTROUS. Or, in other words, they're shiny and reflect light. All metals are opaque... silver reflects on the order of 99.9% of the light that hits it. Water and diamonds may have a kind of luster at certain angles, but it's nothing compared to that of a metal.

You'll probably note that many of these qualities have a sort of 'well, of course metals are like THAT' character to them. That's what makes it a good definition!

Aluminum is an interesting case. Pure metallic aluminum conducts electricity quite well. But there's less of it around then you think there is. Most metals oxidize... given a bit of exposure to the elements and time iron rusts to a flaky red iron oxide. Aluminum, on the other hand, 'rusts' almost instantaneously (which is why metallic aluminum is pretty much NEVER found in nature). But aluminum oxide is very different from iron oxide - aluminum oxide is hard, greyish white, and non-porous. So when an aluminum can is made, the surface instantly rusts into a hard coating that protects the interior from rusting. Aluminum oxide will NOT conduct electricity, but metallic aluminum will.

So that's the trick, really. Aluminum makes a dandy conductor, but you have to get to it first!

Answer 2

Aluminium conducts electricity and is a good conductor...even the power lines are made of aluminium/ compounts. It is one of the best metals available.

Answer 3

A metal forms positive ions and is basically a lattice of positive charge (nuclei) surrounded by a sea of electrons. Aluminum definitely conducts electricity.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Metals are those group of elements that lie to the left side of the periodic table and show different properties like electrical conductivity,malleability,ductility,etc.

Answer 6

Aluminum does conduct electricity. Just as well as over-head high voltage cables are made of Aluminum.

Answer 7

aluminium can conduct electricity