Metals as Conductors (AQA GCSE Chemistry)

Revision Note

Test Yourself
Alexandra

Author

Alexandra

Expertise

Chemistry

Electrical Conductivity

  • Metals have free electrons available to move and carry charge through the metal lattice structure
    • Free electrons can also be called mobile or delocalised
  • Electrons entering one end of the metal cause a delocalised electron to displace itself from the other end
  • Hence electrons can flow so electricity is conducted
  • Copper is used extensively in the production of electrical wiring due to its excellent malleability and electrical conductivity

Electrical wire insulator, IGCSE & GCSE Chemistry revision notes

Copper has one of the highest electrical conductivities of any metal

Exam Tip

Insulators are the opposite of conductors in that they do not conduct electricity. Plastic, rubber and wood are examples of materials that are insulators.

Exam Tip

When explaining why metals conduct electricity in an exam, be careful that you don't write electrons move 'throughout' the structure, but say 'through' the structure.

Thermal Conductivity

  • Similarly, metals are also good conductors of heat
  • The delocalised electrons are free to move and can also carry thermal energy throughout the metal lattice structure
  • Some metals are better conductors of heat energy than others

A Table Showing the Different Conductivities of Metals

Thermal Conductivity of Metals, downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Chemistry revision notes

*W/mK = Watts per metre Kelvin is a unit of thermal conductivity

Exam Tip

Copper again is an excellent thermal conductor. For this reason many older cooking utensils were made of copper before the advent of alloys and composites.

You've read 0 of your 0 free revision notes

Get unlimited access

to absolutely everything:

  • Downloadable PDFs
  • Unlimited Revision Notes
  • Topic Questions
  • Past Papers
  • Model Answers
  • Videos (Maths and Science)

Join the 80,663 Students that ❤️ Save My Exams

the (exam) results speak for themselves:

Did this page help you?

Alexandra

Author: Alexandra

Alex studied Biochemistry at Newcastle University before embarking upon a career in teaching. With nearly 10 years of teaching experience, Alex has had several roles including Chemistry/Science Teacher, Head of Science and Examiner for AQA and Edexcel. Alex’s passion for creating engaging content that enables students to succeed in exams drove her to pursue a career outside of the classroom at SME.