Question

Which substance has the greatest electrical conductivity? The smallest electrical conductivity? Explain your choice briefly. (a) Si (b) Ge (c) \(\mathrm{Ag}\) (d) \(\mathrm{P}_{4}\)

Short answer

Greatest: Silver (Ag); Smallest: Phosphorus (P_4).

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Type of Materials

To determine electrical conductivity, check whether each substance is a metal, metalloid, or nonmetal. Silver (\(\mathrm{Ag}\)) is a metal, silicon (\(\mathrm{Si}\)) and germanium (\(\mathrm{Ge}\)) are metalloids, and \(\mathrm{P}_{4}\) is a nonmetal. Metals generally have higher conductivity than metalloids and nonmetals.

Compare Conductivity of Metals and Metalloids

Metals typically have much higher electrical conductivity than both metalloids and nonmetals. Therefore, silver (\(\mathrm{Ag}\)) should have the greatest conductivity among these substances.

Evaluate the Conductivity of the Remaining Substances

Among nonmetals and certain molecular compounds, electrical conductivity is usually very low. \(\mathrm{P}_{4}\) (phosphorus) is a nonmetal and would have the smallest electrical conductivity.

Rank the Conductivity Based on Material Type

Silver (\(\mathrm{Ag}\)) has the highest conductivity being a metal. Metalloids like silicon (\(\mathrm{Si}\)) and germanium (\(\mathrm{Ge}\)) have moderate conductivity. Phosphorus (\(\mathrm{P}_{4}\)), as a nonmetal, has the lowest.

Key concepts

Metals

Metals are known for their excellent electrical conductivity. They contain a lattice structure where electrons are free to move, which allows them to conduct electricity very efficiently. This "sea of electrons" is what differentiates metals from other types of materials.

In general, metals are characterized by:

• High electrical conductivity
• High thermal conductivity
• Malleability and ductility

Silver (\(\mathrm{Ag}\)) is an example of a metal and is particularly notable for having the highest electrical conductivity of all metals. This makes silver highly valuable in applications requiring efficient transmission of electricity. Understanding this connection provides insight into why metals, especially silver, are heavily utilized in electrical circuits and wiring.

Metalloids

Metalloids are elements that exhibit characteristics of both metals and nonmetals. This unique combination gives metalloids moderate electrical conductivity, which is not as high as metals but superior to that of nonmetals.

Common characteristics of metalloids include:

• Moderate electrical conductivity
• Semiconductor properties
• Variable appearance and reactivity

Silicon (\(\mathrm{Si}\)) and germanium (\(\mathrm{Ge}\)) are prime examples of metalloids. Due to their ability to conduct electricity moderately well, they are used in the semiconductor industry to make electronic components like diodes and transistors. The behavior of metalloids provides a bridge between metals and nonmetals, allowing for versatile applications in modern technology.

Nonmetals

Nonmetals are elements that typically exhibit poor electrical conductivity. They do not have free electrons like metals, making them less efficient in conducting electricity. Nonmetals can vary widely in their chemical and physical properties and are essential for a wide range of biological and chemical processes.

Key characteristics of nonmetals include:

• Poor electrical conductivity
• High ionization energies
• Variety of physical states (solid, liquid, gas)

Phosphorus (\(\mathrm{P}_4\)) is an example of a nonmetal, known for its low electrical conductivity. This characteristic places phosphorus and other nonmetals at the bottom of the conductivity spectrum. Although not ideal for conducting electricity, nonmetals play crucial roles in other areas, such as organic chemistry and life sciences.

Conductivity Comparison

When comparing electrical conductivity between metals, metalloids, and nonmetals, it's essential to consider the atomic structure and electron availability of each. Metals, with their free-moving electrons, are the best conductors. Metalloids fall in the middle due to their semi-conductive nature, and nonmetals, lacking mobile electrons, have the lowest conductivity.

The ability of a material to conduct electricity can be ranked as follows:

• Metals: Highest conductivity (e.g., Silver \(\mathrm{Ag}\))
• Metalloids: Moderate conductivity (e.g., Silicon \(\mathrm{Si}\), Germanium \(\mathrm{Ge}\))
• Nonmetals: Lowest conductivity (e.g., Phosphorus \(\mathrm{P}_4\))

Understanding these differences is crucial for selecting materials in electrical and electronic applications. Whether choosing materials for wires, circuits, or semiconductors, knowing the conductivity properties helps in optimizing performance and efficiency in technological designs.