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Introduction • Electrons • Conductors • Insulators • Voltage • Current • Resistance • Ohm's Law • Resistance and Resistors • Series Circuits • Parallel Circuits • Series-Parallel Circuits • Power • Alternating Current • Frequency • Useful Terms
Conductors
As you have learned, some materials are composed of atoms which exert a loose hold on their electrons. Electric current moves easily through such materials.
These materials are said to be good conductors of electricity. Silver, copper, and aluminum are good conductors of electricity. The following list of seven metals is arranged by volume in their descending ability to conduct electricity.
- Silver
- Copper
- Gold
- Aluminum
- Zinc
- Brass
- Iron
If silver is a better conductor than copper, why do you suppose copper is more commonly used for electrical wiring than silver?
The obvious answer is cost. A slight loss of conductivity is more than offset by the higher cost of silver.
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