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Answer: The correct option is (D). Silver is the best conductor of electricity among the given options. Silver has the highest electrical conductivity of all metals due to its atomic structure, which allows electrons to move freely. It has only one electron in its outer shell, and this loosely bound electron enables electric current to pass through it with very little resistance. Although silver is expensive and prone to tarnishing, in terms of pure conductivity, no other metal surpasses silver.
Complete Answer:
Among all the metals listed, silver (Ag) stands out as the most efficient conductor of electricity. It has an electrical conductivity of approximately 63 × 10⁶ Siemens per meter (S/m). This exceptional ability is due to the presence of a high number of free electrons and the least resistance to their movement, allowing electricity to pass through it more easily than through any other metal. Silver is used in specialized electronic devices, high-quality switches, and sensitive scientific instruments, where maximum conductivity is essential.
On the other hand, gold (Au) is also a very good conductor with a conductivity of around 45 × 10⁶ S/m. One major advantage of gold is that it does not corrode or tarnish, making it ideal for long-term use in electronics, such as connectors and precision circuits. However, despite this stability, gold still falls behind silver in terms of pure conductivity.
Sodium (Na) is a metal that conducts electricity, but it is highly reactive, especially with water and air. It has a significantly lower conductivity of about 2.1 × 10⁶ S/m. Due to its softness and dangerous chemical behavior, sodium is not suitable for practical use in electrical wiring or components.
Nickel (Ni) is a more durable and corrosion-resistant metal, often used in batteries, alloys, and plating. However, its electrical conductivity is only around 14 × 10⁶ S/m, which is far less than that of silver or gold. Though useful for other purposes, it is not ideal when maximum electrical conductivity is required.
Also, the correct order of the conductivity in the given elements is given below:
𝑆𝑖𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑟 > 𝐺𝑜𝑙𝑑 > 𝑁𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑒𝑙 > 𝑆𝑜𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑚
In conclusion, silver (Ag) is the best metal conductor of electricity due to its high free electron availability and low resistivity, making it superior in terms of electrical performance. While gold comes close and offers excellent durability, and nickel and sodium have their uses, none can match silver’s efficiency in conducting electricity.
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