Question

Select conductors of electricity from the following:
Copper wire, silk thread, pure water, acidulated water, human body, glass, mercury.

Answer 1

Hint: A conductor is a material or object that allows charge (electrical current) to flow in one or more directions. Metals are often used as electrical conductors. The passage of negatively charged electrons, positively charged holes, and, in certain situations, positive or negative ions generates electrical current.

Complete step-by-step solution:
Conductors have a high electron mobility (many free electrons), while insulators have a low electron mobility (few to no free electrons).
The following are electrical conductors:
Copper wire, human body, acidulated water, mercury.
Now let us get some idea about them in detail.
Copper wire: Copper is made up of a lattice of positive copper ions with free electrons flowing between them. The electrons are free to pass around in the metal. As a result, they are referred to as free electrons. They're also called conduction electrons because they aid copper's ability to conduct heat and electricity well.
Human body: Electric current is the flow of charges and ions. Since our body cells produce different ions with the ability to conduct electricity, such as sodium ions, potassium ions, and chloride ions, our bodies are strong conductors of electricity.
Mercury: Mercury is a bad heat conductor but a good electrical conductor. Mercury has a special electron structure that makes it behave similarly to noble gas elements when an electron is removed. Mercury forms weak bonds as a result, and is a liquid at room temperature.
Acidulated water: Pure water has a very low ion concentration, making it a weak conductor of electricity. Sulphuric acid, which fully ionises to give hydrogen ions in solution, is added to increase this conductivity.

Note:Conductors are used because they repel electricity in our machines, connections, and other electrically powered devices. Conductors protect equipment from electric shocks and help to prevent electric shocks. We can save energy by turning off non-essential appliances.