Question

Which material is the best conductor? Does it use for electrical transmission? Give reason

Answer 1

Conductors:

• Conductors are substances that allow electricity to pass through them. They act as the electrical charge carriers when the voltage is applied to them. Metals are good conductors of electricity.
• The material which is the best conductor is pure Silver metal. Silver metal has a large number of free electrons which acts as the carriers of electricity.
• But we cannot use silver metal in commercial use because it is very expensive and it tarnishes with usage causing uneven distribution of current.
• Hence, one of the conductors which are used commercially is Copper. Because of its low cost, it is used in every household appliance and every other electrical connection.

Electrical transmission

• Electrical transmission is the process in which a huge amount of electricity is produced at power plants or power stations and is transported over long distances for commercial uses.
• Silver metal isn't used in electrical transmission as it oxidized easily in air, tarnishes up to usage resulting in uneven distribution of electric charge, and is expensive as well.
• On the other hand, copper and aluminium are used in electrical transmission as it is cheap, have high electric conductivity, high retentivity, and low resistance. Hence, these materials are used in electrical transmission.

Therefore, in conclusion, silver is the best conductor but due to the above reasons cannot be used in commercial use, instead copper is used. Silver does not show electrical transmission because it oxidized easily in air, tarnishes up to usage resulting in uneven distribution of electric charge, and is expensive.