Silver is the best conductor. How many valence electrons do you think it has?
a. 1
b. 4
c. 18
d. 29
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Correct Answer:
a. 1
Explanation:
Silver (Ag) is one of the best conductors of electricity due to its unique atomic structure and electron configuration. The key reason for its high conductivity lies in its valence electrons, which determine how easily electrons can move through a material.
Understanding Silver’s Electron Configuration
The electron configuration of silver (Ag) is:
[Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s¹
Silver has 47 electrons in total, but the electrons in the outermost shell are the most important for conductivity. The valence shell of silver is the 5th energy level, and it contains only one electron (5s¹). This means that silver has one valence electron.
Why Silver is the Best Conductor
- Single Valence Electron: The lone 5s¹ electron in silver is very loosely bound, making it easy to move when an electric field is applied.
- Low Electrical Resistance: Silver has low resistivity, allowing electrons to flow through it more easily compared to other metals.
- Dense and Ordered Crystal Structure: Silver’s atomic arrangement minimizes electron scattering, enhancing conductivity.
- Minimal Energy Loss: Silver does not lose much energy as heat when conducting electricity, making it highly efficient.
Comparison with Other Conductors
- Copper (Cu) also has one valence electron (4s¹) and is a great conductor, but silver is superior due to lower electron scattering.
- Gold (Au) is another excellent conductor, but its higher resistivity makes it less effective than silver.
Thus, silver, with its one valence electron, is the best conductor of electricity.