Question

Give reason why:

(a) Copper metal is used for making electric wires.

(b) Graphite is used for making the electrode in a dry cell.

Answer 1

(a) Copper is a good conductor of electricity, heat resistant and ductile in nature and also cheaper than the other metals which do not undergo rusting very easily, so it is used in making electric wires.

(b) Graphite is an allotrope of a non-metal called as carbon, which acts as semi-metal and so unlike the other non-metals it is a good conductor of electricity and it is a most stable form of carbon under standard condition. So, it is used as an anode where the carbon rod or carbon electrode is required for the reaction.