Question

Which metal is the best conductor of electricity and heat?

Answer 1

Conductivity of a material:

1. Conductivity is an intrinsic property of a material that shows the ability of a material to pass heat or electricity through it. Based on the concept materials are categorized as conductors, insulators, and semiconductors.
2. Conductors have very low thermal and electrical resistance. Most of the conductors are metals as they have a high value of conductivity. Gold, Silver, copper, and aluminum are a few examples of good conductors of heat and electricity.
3. Insulators are non-conductive because they do not possess any free charge carriers. These materials have the highest electrical or thermal resistance. Paper, rubber, and plastics are some examples of insulators.
4. The resistance of a semiconductor is low at an increased temperature and high at very low temperatures. Hence, they act as an insulator at absolute zero. The movement of electrons and holes leads to conduction in semiconductors. Silicon, Germanium, Selenium, and Antimony are some examples of semiconductors.

1. Silver is the best conductor of heat and electricity as it has the highest electrical conductivity among metals.
2. The higher the number of free electrons more efficient is the metal to conduct heat and electricity.
3. Copper is another good conductor of heat because of its high value of thermal conductivity. Copper is used in more applications compared to silver as it is much cheaper and more abundantly available than silver.

Hence, silver metal is the best conductor of heat and electricity.