2006-12-29 03:31:51 · 8 answers · asked by carrie g 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Yes, but only where the expense is justified. The resistivity of silver is less than copper (or any other metal) allowing smaller wire to carry more current. During the Manhattan project $300 million in silver was borrowed from the treasury for use in electromagnet wiring because of it's lower resistance.
2006-12-29 04:29:07 · answer #1 · answered by Joe 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only time I know a silver is used in any type of wiring is when it is used for RF (Radio Frequency) circuits.
When an RF energy is applied to a wire, a phenomenon called the "skin effect" will take place. This is a situation where all of the energy in the cable is through a few micron of the surface of the cable, no matter how thick the wire is.
Since silver is far better conductor than copper, it is often used to decrease the resistance of the wire (for the RF) thus increase Q of the circuit. Increase of the Q means the resonance circuit tunes far shapely than that of lower Q.
Is this what you wanted to know?
2006-12-29 21:44:46 · answer #2 · answered by tkquestion 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, yes silver wire can conduct electricity. Almost any metal can conduct electricity. Copper is cheaper and better, so that's why nobody uses silver.
2006-12-29 16:32:20 · answer #3 · answered by gooeyjim 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Technically, the answer is no.
Silver is added in miniscule (one or two one-hundredths of one percent, typically) amounts to copper to create the alloy most commonly used for cabling. It is almost as good a conductor as pure copper, so there is little lost in terms of "energy transmission". But its purpose is NOT to conduct energy; it is to strengthen the strands/cable mechanically.
2006-12-29 12:09:25 · answer #4 · answered by CanTexan 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe it is used sometimes in surface finishes that are plated over copper. Silver oxide is used as the outer coating on mirrors (the better the conductor, the better the reflectivity).
2006-12-29 14:53:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes... Silver is a better conductor than copper, but it is much more expensive, so is rarely used for electrical wire. Gold is even better!
2006-12-29 12:28:45 · answer #6 · answered by ReNO 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No they don't because it is unaffordable, They mostly use Copper but now days they use fiber optics
2006-12-29 11:48:23 · answer #7 · answered by Suhas 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
no, copper and aluminum are commonly used
2006-12-30 20:58:19 · answer #8 · answered by 2cute4u 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋