Question

Out of these four which of the following is the best conductor of electricity?
${\text{A}}{\text{.}}$ Silver
${\text{B}}{\text{.}}$ Copper
${\text{C}}{\text{.}}$ Gold
${\text{D}}{\text{.}}$ Aluminium

Answer 1

Hint- Here, we will proceed by defining the phenomenon i.e., Electricity. Then, we will be discussing the electrical conductor and its conductivity. Finally, we will discuss which element is the best conductor of electricity along with the reason behind it.

Complete answer:
Electricity, phenomenon associated with stationary or moving electric charges. Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter and is borne by elementary particles. In electricity the particle involved is the electron, which carries a charge designated, by convention, as negative. Thus, the various manifestations of electricity are the result of the accumulation or motion of numbers of electrons.
An electrical conductor is a substance in which electrical charge carriers, usually electrons, move easily from atom to atom with the application of voltage. Conductivity, in general, is the capacity to transmit something, such as electricity or heat.
Pure elemental silver is the best electrical conductor encountered in everyday life. Copper, steel, gold, aluminium, and brass are also good conductors. In electrical and electronic systems, all conductors comprise solid metals moulded into wires or etched onto circuit boards.
It is known that electricity is the flow of ions or electrons from one place to another. And, as silver is a transition metal and its electronic configuration is $\left[ {{\text{Kr}}} \right]4{{\text{d}}^{10}}{\text{5}}{{\text{s}}^1}$.
This means that it has an unpaired electron so, when an electric current is passed through silver metal then its free electrons will start to move from their initial place leading to the flow of electric current.
Therefore, silver is the best conductor of electricity due to the presence of mobile electrons when compared with copper, gold and aluminium.

Hence, option A is correct.

Note- However, silver is more expensive than other materials and is not normally used unless it is required for specialized equipment like satellites or circuit boards. Copper is less conductive than silver but is cheaper and commonly used as an effective conductor in household appliances.