Does the conductivity of something

  • Thread starter LogicalAcid
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Conductivity
In summary, the ease of losing valence electrons affects the conductivity of a substance. This also applies to reactivity, as atoms with only 7 electrons in their outermost shell are more likely to react by losing their valence electron to another atom. However, the overall conductivity of a substance depends on how well electrons can pass through it, as seen in the example of Aluminum which has 3 valence electrons. Gold, on the other hand, is highly conductive but not reactive, showing that these two characteristics are not directly related.
  • #1
LogicalAcid
137
0
Also relate to its reactivty? Because I heard that the easier something loses valence e-, the more conductive it is. This also applies to reactivity, because if an atom has its outermost shell filled by only 7 electrons, it would be reactive, and react by losing the valence electron to another atom. So if we have a whole piece of matter, let's say Aluminum, which has 3 valence electrons, all the atoms will share valence electrons readily because they are reactive, but current depends on how well electrons pass through the matter. I don't understand.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Consider gold; quite conductive but not reactive. Two different characteristics and not directly related.
 

Related to Does the conductivity of something

1. Does the conductivity of something depend on its temperature?

Yes, the conductivity of a material is affected by its temperature. Generally, as the temperature increases, the conductivity also increases. However, this relationship may vary depending on the material and its properties.

2. Is conductivity a measure of how well something conducts electricity?

Yes, conductivity is a measure of how well a material allows the flow of electric current. A high conductivity material will allow electricity to pass through it easily, while a low conductivity material will inhibit the flow of electricity.

3. Can the conductivity of a substance be changed?

Yes, the conductivity of a material can be changed by altering its physical or chemical properties. For example, adding impurities or changing the temperature can affect the conductivity of a substance.

4. What units are used to measure conductivity?

Conductivity is typically measured in siemens per meter (S/m) or mho per meter (mho/m). These units represent the inverse of resistance and are used to measure the ease of electric current flow through a material.

5. How does the structure of a material affect its conductivity?

The structure of a material can greatly affect its conductivity. Materials with a more organized and regular structure, such as metals, tend to have higher conductivity due to the ease of electron movement. In contrast, materials with a more disorganized structure, such as polymers, have lower conductivity due to the difficulty of electron movement.

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
993
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Atomic and Condensed Matter
Replies
11
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • Electrical Engineering
Replies
12
Views
1K
  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • Biology and Chemistry Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
738
  • Atomic and Condensed Matter
Replies
13
Views
3K
Back
Top