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Which metal is the best conductor of electricity?
A. Copper
B. Silver
C. Gold
D. Iron
Correct Answer Is Option = Silver
Notes / Explanation
The metal that is the best conductor of electricity is silver, which conducts electricity better than any other metal. A conductor is a material through which electricity can flow easily, and metals in general are good conductors of electricity, which is why they are used in electrical wiring and equipment, but among the metals there are differences in how well they conduct, and silver is the best of all, allowing electricity to flow through it with the least resistance. Because it is such an excellent conductor, silver is used in certain special electrical applications where the very best conduction is required, and it is also an excellent conductor of heat. However, although silver is the best conductor, it is not the metal most commonly used for ordinary electrical wiring, because it is a precious and expensive metal, and using it for all wiring would be far too costly. Instead, the metal most commonly used for electrical wiring is another metal that is also an excellent conductor, only slightly less good than silver, but much cheaper and more plentiful, which makes it the practical choice for most electrical purposes, so that most electrical wires are made of this metal. This other metal is widely used precisely because it combines good conduction with lower cost. Thus, while silver is the best conductor, the choice of material for a particular use depends not only on how well it conducts but also on its cost, its availability and its other properties. Metals conduct electricity well because of the way their tiny particles are arranged, which allows electric charge to move through them freely. The property of conducting electricity is of great importance in the modern world, which depends so heavily on electricity, and the choice of the right conducting materials is important in all electrical and electronic equipment. Materials that do not conduct electricity, such as certain plastics and rubber, are also important, being used to cover and insulate wires for safety. The study of conductors and the conduction of electricity is a part of the science of physics and chemistry. For PPSC and other competitive examinations, the key points to remember are that the metal that is the best conductor of electricity is silver, that it conducts electricity better than any other metal, that despite this it is not commonly used for ordinary wiring because it is precious and expensive, and that the metal most commonly used for electrical wiring is another excellent conductor that is only slightly less good but much cheaper and more plentiful.