Question

Which of the following metals is a preferred material for making conducting wires and in electrical appliances? Even though silver is the best conductor of electricity.
(A) Gold
(B) Platinum
(C) Copper
(D) Lead

Answer 1

Hint: For making conducting wires we not only see the conducting property of metal but also other properties like oxidizing property is the presence of air, property of resistance to heat, etc. The metal used for conducting wires should be cost-efficient also.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Conducting wire is a metal conductor which is used to carry electricity over a distance. For this, we need the best conductor of electricity, which means it should have low resistance. But only being a good conductor is not sufficient to be used in electrical appliances.
The metal used should not be so expensive because it won’t be affordable for everyone. Also since metals in presence of air undergo oxidation and form metal oxides. This can lead to the formation of rust or tarnish it which eventually weakens the mental strength.
Silver and gold and platinum are good conductors of electricity. But using them for making conducting wires in electrical appliances would be expensive. lead is not a good conductor.
Copper is less expensive and is less oxidative than other metals. In fact, when oxidation happens in copper a greenish patina is formed on the surface which unlike rust protects the metal from further corrosion. So copper is a good conductor of electricity and the best option to make conducting wires.
Hence option C) copper is the correct answer.

Note:
Lead quickly interacts with the atmosphere to generate lead oxide and lead oxide is a poor conductor of heat and electricity. So lead is a poor conductor of electricity and we don’t use it to make conducting wires.