Question

State whether true or false:
Good conductors have excess free electrons.
A. True
B. False

Answer 1

Hint: Many of the electrons inside a conductor are free to move. And we know that like charges repel each other. Therefore, all the electrons repel each other and move away from each other. As a result, they end up at the surface of the conductor.

Complete answer:
Let us first understand what a conductor is.
A conductor is a material that conducts electricity easily. Meaning, it allows the electrons to flow easily through it.
We can also say that when we applied a potential difference across a conductor, there is current in the circuit. The resistivity of a conductor is very low.
The reason for the very good conduction and very low resistivity of a conductor is that it has free moving electrons. Since the electrons are not strongly bonded to the positive nucleus, they are free to move.
Hence, the electrons in a conductor can move without much restriction when an electric field is created in the conductor.
Now, we know that the electrons are free to move inside a conductor. We also know two electrons repel each other. Therefore, all the electrons inside a conductor repel each move away from each other. As a result, the free electrons end up at the surface.
Hence, we can say that a conductor has excess electrons at the surface.
This means that the given statement is true.

Hence, the correct option is A.

Note:
When we charge a conductor, the excess charge also resides on the surface of the conductor. Since the free electrons are always at the surface of the conductor, the conduction will only take place at the surface of the conductor.