Question

Why is Copper used for most Electric Wiring?

Answer 1

Hint: The characteristics of copper have to be known to answer this question. Electric wiring is the process of making wire with some material that is a good conductor. Also having a lesser resistivity will get preferences for making electric wire as it can pass more current. The cost of making a wire is also undercounted as it is a big industrial matter.

Complete step-by-step solution:
Copper is a very good conductor as it transports electric charge very well.
Copper has a very low resistivity level near about $17n\Omega .m$ at $20^\circ C$. That’s why it also has the highest electric conductivity.
 In the Copper atom, the conduction band is half-filled therefore most of the electrons can carry electric current.
 Copper is also less oxidative compared to other metals.
Copper is of very low cost. And, hence it is the first choice to make wires for industrial purposes.
These properties of copper are very useful for electric wiring. That’s why Copper is used for making most electrical wires.

Note: The electrical wire is always made up of pure Copper. Though there are a few alloys of copper used to increase the physical hardness of wires. But for getting the best conductivity the pure metal is used. This also gives best results in electrical power wiring.
Besides the advantages of using Copper wire, there are also some limitations in using Copper. Here the fire occurs as well as shock hazards. Due to the handling of these wires in the incorrect ways, there occurs many damages in cables.