i know one would be it is a good conducter of electricity, but what would the other be, and how would metallic bonding between coppet atoms account for each of the propeties?
2007-01-02 14:02:34 · 5 answers · asked by lisa d 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
It is also malleable and ductile.
As you said, metals in general conduct electricity well. But another important factor is that metals are also malleable and ductile. Brittle substances such as general non-metals won't make good wiring would it? =)
2007-01-02 14:11:14 · answer #1 · answered by †ђ!ηK †αηK² 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well there is only one reason that some metals are good for electricity conduction. That is the nature of the metallic bond. Normal solids such as plastic, stone and wood have an intricate molecular structure where each atom is locked into place along with its electrons. The bonding in metals is vastly different. Metals are basically a matrix of atom nucleus surrounded by a sea of electrons. This bonding gives the metal the two important properties of ductility and conductivity required for use as an electrical conductor.
Ductility refers to how easily the material can be drawn into a wire. This property gives the metal flex ability and makes it easy to be extruded and drawn into shape. The atoms are not locked into specific positions due to the sea of electrons. Atoms can "slide"over one another.
The conductivity come from the electron sea. A current is the flow of electrons from a negatively charged Anode to a positively charged anode. The metal allows the flow of electrons by accepting one electron on the anodic end and releasing one electron on the cathodic end. The resistance (measured in ohms) is the inefficiency of the metal to transfer the charged electron. different metals have different efficiencies. gold and copper a good, aluminum is not good.
2007-01-02 14:21:26 · answer #2 · answered by Andrew S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The property of a good conductor is one that has the least amount of valence electrons in its outermost shell. One being the best conductor, down to three being still an okay conductor. Once you get to four valence electrons, you have a semi-conductor. The first property to make them useful is their metallic type bonding where each of the individual atoms are attracted to each other because of the slight attraction of the outer electron to the positive nucleus of the next similar atom. Only a slight voltage produces the avalanche of electrons which is current flow. The other thing that makes metals useful in wiring is there inherent strength. As stated already they are attracted to each other so they tend to want to stay together even when being bent and fit into what we want them to be. This is the way to account for copper atoms as they have one valence electron which is easily bounced out of orbit with a voltage charge applied and can just as easily welcome another electron in when it leaves accounting for current flow. Does that help?
2007-01-02 14:11:19 · answer #3 · answered by Deano 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thermal Conductivity and Energy Conductivity.
2007-01-02 14:11:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you have said one property of metal and other one is that they can pass the electric easily without any resistance.
2007-01-02 14:13:26 · answer #5 · answered by Tabish H 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋