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Asked by: Theressa Laje
science chemistryWhy metals are good conductor of electricity but non metals are not?
Last Updated: 11th April, 2022
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Similarly one may ask, why are metals good conductors of electricity while non metals are not?
Metals have free electrons which helps them intheconduction of electricity whereas non metals havenofree electrons which makes them a poor conductorofelectricity. However some exceptions are there.Such asgraphitebeing a non metal is a good conductor ofelectricityand are also used as electrodes..
Furthermore, why do all metals conduct electricity? Metallic bonding forms a closely packed latticestructureof positive ions with delocalized electrons (these arethe electronsof the outer shell of the metal atom). Becausetheseelectrons are delocalised, they can move freely withinthemetal structure when an electrical currentisapplied.
One may also ask, are metals or nonmetals more conductive?
Metals, Metalloids, andNonmetals.Metals are good conductors of heatand electricity,and are malleable (they can be hammered intosheets) and ductile(they can be drawn into wire). Most ofthe metals aresolids at room temperature, with acharacteristic silvery shine(except for mercury, which is aliquid).
Which non metal is a poor conductor of electricity?
Nonmetals. Elements that tend to gain electrons toformanions during chemical reactions arecallednon-metals. These are electronegative elements.Theyare non-lustrous, brittle and poor conductors ofheatand electricity (except graphite).