Why are copper and aluminum wires commonly used for power transmission?
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Solution
Transmission of Current:
Electrical transmission is the process of sending produced power to the distribution grid in inhabited regions across large distances.
Copper and aluminum are strong electrical conductors and have low resistance, allowing electricity to flow freely through them.
Due to their metallic properties, they have a large number of free electrons.
These metals are ductile and corrosion-resistant. Moreover, copper is the most conductive metal available and cheaper than silver.
Copper and aluminum wires are usually used for power transmission as there is less power loss during the transmission through these wires.
To some extent, all metals carry electricity. Some metals carry electricity better than others. Electric conductors include copper, silver, aluminum, gold, steel, brass, etc.
Thus, copper and aluminum are wires commonly used for power transmission.