2007-08-30 14:54:33 · 10 answers · asked by Eric D 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Silver is best, but is very expensive compared to the next best thing -- copper. Copper is 95% as good as silver.
Aluminum is about 65% as good as copper but is much lighter and cheaper. Nearly all overhead electric wires installed today are either aluminum, an aluminum alloy or aluminum with steel reinforcing strands.
Gold is only slightly better than aluminum.
Metal ------- Conductivity
Silver -------- 63.01 × 10^6
Copper ------ 59.6 × 10^6
Aluminium - 37.8 × 10^6
2007-08-30 15:14:45 · answer #1 · answered by Thomas C 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
which element conducts electricity the best and why isnt it in common use for electrical wires?
2015-08-10 17:12:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The big advantage to gold is that it does not corrode. Thomas C's numbers look good. Silver is the most conductive at room temperature. Copper is almost as good and much less expensive.
Resistance in wiring makes a difference more often than people realize.
2007-08-30 18:22:25 · answer #3 · answered by ancient_nerd 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Best? Gold, Silver, copper, aluminum...
But what is common for wires? NOT always the best.
Wires are usually thick enough that there is very little voltage drop and very little power lost in the wires, so we really do not need the BEST conductor, and copper is usually more than good enough.
2007-08-30 16:27:41 · answer #4 · answered by Roy C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At one time Gold was the best "element", and it is still used for contacts in electronic components, though as a coating that is extremely thin due to the high cost. there are now some "high temperature" superconductors, but they are lab created and extremely expensive. Aluminum is the most common element in electrical transmission lines due to the price.. Money is the ultimate decider!
2007-08-30 15:11:38 · answer #5 · answered by Chickenman88 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best conductor, at normal temperature, is the silver.
Of course, it is to expensive to use it for electrical wires
2007-08-30 15:10:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can only add to the above, that the lower the conductivity, the larger that the cable has to be. i.e. an aluminium cable has to be a lot larger than a copper one to carry the same load.
2007-09-01 00:07:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Silver is great but is too pricey for connections. Even Bill Gates does not have silver wires in his home.
2007-08-30 16:06:37 · answer #8 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gold is the best conductor. It won't oxidize like aluminum & copper. Why isn't it in common use for electrical wires? The current price is $664/oz. You do the math.
2007-08-30 15:14:48 · answer #9 · answered by Wile E. 7 · 0⤊ 5⤋
Silver is bes is best and it is kind of expensive for widespread use.
2007-08-30 15:56:25 · answer #10 · answered by Renaissance Man 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋