Question

Metals heat conductivity depends upon:

• A. number of free electrons
• B. speed of free electrons
• C. how far electrons travel without being bumped into other atoms
• D. all of the above

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

all of the above

The heat conductivity of a metal is dependent on two main factors: 1) number of free electrons, 2) speed of the free electrons and especially how far they can travel before they bump into some atoms and change their direction. It is the presence of the delocalized valence electrons that are responsible for the metals' good heat and electrical conductivity.