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Difference Between Metallic Conductor And Electrolytic Conductor

Metallic Conductor vs Electrolytic Conductor: Explained with Examples

Q: 1. What is the difference between metallic conductor and electrolytic conductor?

Metallic conductors conduct electricity by free electrons, while electrolytic conductors conduct by moving ions. Key differences include:Current carriers: Electrons in metals, ions in electrolytesMaterial: Metals vs. solutions/molten saltsTemperature effect: Conductivity decreases in metals, increases in electrolytes with rising temperatureExamples: Copper (metallic), NaCl solution (electrolytic)

Q: 2. What is an example of a metallic conductor?

Copper is a classic example of a metallic conductor. It allows electricity to flow via its free electrons. Other examples include silver, aluminum, and iron — all with high metallic (electronic) conductivity.

Q: 3. What are the differences between metallic and electrolytic conductors?

Metallic conductors and electrolytic conductors differ in how they conduct electricity:Metallic: Electrons as charge carriers, solid state, does not involve chemical changeElectrolytic: Ions as charge carriers, either molten or in solution, involves chemical reactions (electrolysis)Temperature effect: Opposite for each

Q: 4. What is the difference between an electrolyte and a conductor?

An electrolyte is a substance that conducts electricity via ions when dissolved or molten. A conductor is any material that allows electric current — which may be metals (electronic), electrolytes (ionic), or both. All electrolytes are conductors, but not all conductors are electrolytes.

Q: 5. How do metallic and electrolytic conductors work?

Metallic conductors use free electrons to transmit electricity without chemical change. Electrolytic conductors use the migration of positive (cations) and negative (anions) ions in solution or molten form, often leading to electrolysis (chemical changes at electrodes).

Q: 6. What is the main carrier of current in metallic conductors?

Electrons are the main current carriers in metallic conductors. They move freely through the metal's lattice, enabling electronic conduction.

Q: 7. How does temperature affect metallic and electrolytic conductivity?

In metallic conductors, increasing temperature reduces conductivity because atomic vibrations hinder electron flow. For electrolytic conductors, higher temperature generally increases conductivity, as it boosts ion mobility and reduces solution viscosity.

Q: 9. Do all metals conduct electricity equally well?

Not all metals have the same conductivity. Silver and copper are among the best metallic conductors, while metals like lead or mercury have much lower electrical conductivity due to differences in their electron structure.

Q: 10. Is electrolysis possible with metallic conductors?

No, electrolysis only occurs in electrolytic conductors, where ions move and chemical changes happen at electrodes. Metallic conductors allow current without causing chemical change.

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Comparison Table: Metallic Conductor and Electrolytic Conductor Differences

Depending on how electricity travels through each type of conductor, they can be divided into two categories. The charge carriers in a metallic conductor are electrons, and when an external electric field is present, they develop some average drift velocity in the direction perpendicular to the field.

Conductors are the materials that permit electricity to flow through them. A few examples of conductors include metals, bases, salts, and acid solutions. There are two different kinds of conductors: metallic conductor and electrolytic conductor.

Category:	JEE Main Difference Between
Content-Type:	Text, Images, Videos and PDF
Exam:	JEE Main
Topic Name:	Difference Between Metallic Conductor and Electrolytic Conductor
Academic Session:	2026
Medium:	English Medium
Subject:	Chemistry
Available Material:	Chapter-wise Difference Between Topics

What is Metallic Conductor?

Metallic conductors are those conductors that move electrons along an electric current without moving any physical matter. Since electrons are the charge carrier in these conductors, they are also known as electronic conductance. The best conductors of electric current, for instance, are metals like copper, silver, platinum, and others.

As the temperature rises, this mode of conduction becomes less effective. This is clarified by The mobile electron cloud diffusing or penetrating a relatively fixed lattice of positive metal ions can be used to explain the electronic conduction. The electrons in the cloud are displaced at the entry point when electrons from an external battery are driven into one end of a metal wire. The displaced electrons acquire new locations by advancing nearby electrons.
The effect travels down the wire from one end to the other, returning to the external battery in the process. Electrons flow through the wire at a rate that is equal to the rate at which they leave it. At every point along its length, the wire's electrical neutrality is preserved.
Current flow in a metal is inhibited by the oscillation of metal ions around their lattice locations. These vibrations reduce the current flow by interfering with electron mobility. As the temperature rises, the thermal motions of the metal ions become more pronounced, adding to the current flow resistance. Metals consequently become less effective conductors as temperature increases.

What is Electrolytic Conductor ?

Metallic conductors are materials that permit electricity to flow through them devoid of undergoing any chemical transformation. In these, only the movement of electrons carries electricity. Consequently, they are also known as electronic conductors. Graphite, metals, and alloys are examples of metallic conductors.

Electrolytic conductors are substances that, in aqueous solution or the molten state, transport electric current by moving charged particles or ions. These also go by the name "ionic conductors." With an increase in temperature, the ionic conduction or electrolytic conduction increases.
Why do electrolytic conductors have lower conductivities than metallic ones? The reason why ions move more slowly than electrons is that they are heavier than electrons. Consequently, these conductors' rates of conduction vary.

Differentiate Between Metallic Conductor and Electrolytic Conductor:

S No.	Metallic Conductor	Electrolytic Conductor
1.	The electrons in the conduction band are the only ones capable of carrying current.	Both cations and anions carry the current.
2.	The electrons move at a very high speed.	The speeds of ions are much slower than those of electrons.
3.	No chemical reaction takes place during current flow; only a heating effect is created.	Chemical reactions are triggered by current flow, and heat is also produced.
4.	The specific conductance of many metals is quite high, making them excellent electrical conductors.	They are fair conductors with a low specific conductance.
5.	In general, the temperature coefficient is negative (alloys exhibit complex behavior).	Temperature coefficient remains positive.
6.	Ohm's law is applied.	Ohm’s law is also applied in electrolytic conductor.
7.	DC or AC current can be used to measure conductance.	AC sources are used to measure conductance; complex setups can only use DC current.

Conclusion:

In this chapter, we learned about electrolytic conductance, its characteristics, the influences on electrolytic conductance, and the distinction between metallic and electrolytic conduction. We have discussed the definition, which states that an electrolytic solution's electrolytic conductance refers to their ability to permit the passage of an electric current through them. This capability is a result of the ions that are present in the solution as a result of the electrolyte separation. Therefore, during your preparation, do not skip this chapter if you want to pass your exam with good marks.

FAQs on Metallic Conductor vs Electrolytic Conductor: Explained with Examples

1. What is the difference between metallic conductor and electrolytic conductor?

Metallic conductors conduct electricity by free electrons, while electrolytic conductors conduct by moving ions. Key differences include:

Current carriers: Electrons in metals, ions in electrolytes
Material: Metals vs. solutions/molten salts
Temperature effect: Conductivity decreases in metals, increases in electrolytes with rising temperature
Examples: Copper (metallic), NaCl solution (electrolytic)

2. What is an example of a metallic conductor?

Copper is a classic example of a metallic conductor. It allows electricity to flow via its free electrons. Other examples include silver, aluminum, and iron — all with high metallic (electronic) conductivity.

3. What are the differences between metallic and electrolytic conductors?

Metallic conductors and electrolytic conductors differ in how they conduct electricity:

Metallic: Electrons as charge carriers, solid state, does not involve chemical change
Electrolytic: Ions as charge carriers, either molten or in solution, involves chemical reactions (electrolysis)
Temperature effect: Opposite for each

4. What is the difference between an electrolyte and a conductor?

An electrolyte is a substance that conducts electricity via ions when dissolved or molten. A conductor is any material that allows electric current — which may be metals (electronic), electrolytes (ionic), or both. All electrolytes are conductors, but not all conductors are electrolytes.

5. How do metallic and electrolytic conductors work?

Metallic conductors use free electrons to transmit electricity without chemical change. Electrolytic conductors use the migration of positive (cations) and negative (anions) ions in solution or molten form, often leading to electrolysis (chemical changes at electrodes).

6. What is the main carrier of current in metallic conductors?

Electrons are the main current carriers in metallic conductors. They move freely through the metal's lattice, enabling electronic conduction.

7. How does temperature affect metallic and electrolytic conductivity?

In metallic conductors, increasing temperature reduces conductivity because atomic vibrations hinder electron flow. For electrolytic conductors, higher temperature generally increases conductivity, as it boosts ion mobility and reduces solution viscosity.

8. Can all liquids act as electrolytic conductors?

No, only those liquids containing free ions (like salt solutions, acids, molten salts) can act as electrolytic conductors. Pure water and organic liquids without ions do not conduct electricity appreciably.

9. Do all metals conduct electricity equally well?

Not all metals have the same conductivity. Silver and copper are among the best metallic conductors, while metals like lead or mercury have much lower electrical conductivity due to differences in their electron structure.

10. Is electrolysis possible with metallic conductors?

No, electrolysis only occurs in electrolytic conductors, where ions move and chemical changes happen at electrodes. Metallic conductors allow current without causing chemical change.

11. Can alloys be both metallic and electrolytic conductors?

Alloys like brass or steel are typically metallic conductors (via electrons), not electrolytic. However, ionic conductors (solid electrolytes) exist in some ceramics and glasses, but not in typical metal alloys.