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Name: marie
Status: student
Age: 13
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2000-2001
Question:
How do metals conduct electricity and why cant non-metals????

Replies:
Marie

Metals conduct electricity because the outer electrons of the metal atoms are not constrained to remain with a particular atomic nucleus. Rather there is a "sea" of mobile electrons that are free to move in response to an electric voltage.

Non-metals generally do not conduct electricity because their electrons are not free to migrate in response to an applied electrical voltage; however, there are some non-metals that conduct electricity. Carbon [graphite] and silicon are two examples.

Vince Calder


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