Type: Property
Description: Electrical conductivity is a measure of a material's ability to conduct an electric current. It is quantified by the ease with which electrons or other charge carriers move through a substance when subjected to an electric field. Electrical conductivity is typically measured in siemens per meter (S/m) in the International System of Units (SI).
Attributes:
- Unit of Measurement: Siemens per meter (S/m)
- Factors Influencing Conductivity:
- Material Composition: Metals, semiconductors, and insulators have varying levels of conductivity.
- Temperature: Conductivity typically increases with temperature in conductors but decreases in semiconductors.
- Impurities: Presence of impurities can either increase or decrease conductivity depending on the material.
- Range:
- High Conductivity: Metals like copper (Cu) and silver (Ag)
- Moderate Conductivity: Semiconductors like silicon (Si)
- Low Conductivity: Insulators like rubber and glass
Relationships:
- Related Properties:
- Electrical Resistivity: The reciprocal of electrical conductivity, measuring how strongly a material opposes the flow of electric current.
- Thermal Conductivity: Often correlated with electrical conductivity, especially in metals, where both properties are influenced by the movement of electrons.
- Applications:
- Electrical Wiring: High conductivity materials like copper and aluminum are used in wiring and cables.
- Electronics: Semiconductors with controlled conductivity are used in electronic components such as transistors and diodes.
- Conductive Coatings: Used in applications requiring electrostatic dissipation or electromagnetic shielding.