The most electrically conductive metal in the world

The value of metals is directly determined by their chemical and physical properties. In the case of such an indicator as electrical conductivity, this connection is not so straightforward. The most electrically conductive metal, if measured at room temperature (+20 ° C), is silver. But the high cost limits the use of silver parts in electrical engineering and microelectronics. Silver elements in such devices are used only in the case of economic feasibility.

The physical meaning of conductivity

The use of metal conductors has a long history. Scientists and engineers working in the fields of science and technology using electricity have long been determined with materials for wires, terminals, contacts, printed circuit boards , etc. The physical quantity called electrical conductivity helps to determine the most electrically conductive metal in the world.

Conductivity concept is back to electrical resistance. The quantitative expression of conductivity is related to the unit of resistance, which in the international system of units (SI) is measured in Ohms. The unit of electrical conductivity in the SI-Siemens system. The Russian designation of this unit is Sm, the international designation is S. The electrical conductivity of 1 cm is possessed by a section of an electrical network with a resistance of 1 ohm.

Conductivity

The measure of the ability of a substance to conduct an electric current is called the electrical conductivity. The highest such indicator is the most electrically conductive metal. This characteristic can be determined for any substance or medium instrumentally and has a numerical expression. The specific electrical conductivity of a cylindrical conductor of a single length and a unit cross-sectional area is related to the resistivity of a given conductor.

The system unit of conductivity is Siemens per meter - S / m. To find out which of the metals is the most electrically conductive metal in the world, it is enough to compare their conductivity, determined experimentally. You can determine the resistivity with a special device - a micro-meter. These characteristics are inverse.

Conductivity of metals

The very concept of electric current as a directed flow of charged particles seems more harmonious for substances based on crystal lattices peculiar to metals. Carriers of charges at occurrence of an electric current in metals are free electrons, instead of ions, as it happens in liquid media. It has been established experimentally that when a current flows in metals, there is no transfer of particles of matter between the conductors.

Metallic substances differ from others by more free bonds at the atomic level. The internal arrangement of metals is characterized by the presence of a large number of "single" electrons. Which at the slightest influence of electromagnetic forces form a directed flow. Therefore, it is not for nothing that metals are the best conductors of electric current, and it is these molecular interactions that distinguish the most electrically conductive metal. On the features of the structure of the crystal lattice of metals, one more specific property is based - a high thermal conductivity.

Top best conductors - metals

4 metals having practical significance for their use as electrical conductors are distributed in the following order with respect to the value of the conductivity measured in cm / m:

1. Silver - 62 500 000.
2. Copper - 59.5 million.
3. Gold - 45 500 000.
4. Aluminum - 38 million.

It can be seen that the most electrically conductive metal is silver. But like gold, it is used to organize an electrical network only in special specific cases. The reason is high cost.

But copper and aluminum - the most common option for electrical appliances and cable products due to low resistance to electric current and affordability. Other metals are rarely used as conductors.

Factors affecting the conductivity of metals

Even the most electrically conductive metal reduces its conductivity, if it contains other additives and impurities. In alloys, the structure of the crystal lattice is different than that of "pure" metals. It is distinguished by a violation in symmetry, cracks and other defects. The conductivity decreases with increasing ambient temperature.

Increased resistance inherent in alloys, finds use in heating elements. It is no accident that for working elements of electric furnaces, heaters are used by nichrome, fencer and other alloys.

The most electrically conductive metal is precious silver, more used by jewelers, for coinage, etc. But in its engineering and instrument making its special chemical and physical properties find wide application. For example, besides using it in knots and aggregates with reduced resistance, silver spraying protects contact groups from oxidation. The unique properties of silver and its alloys often make its use justified, despite the high cost.