What is the range of conductivity of solid metallic conductors?

10⁴ to 10⁷ ohm^–1m^–1

The correct answer is option 1.10⁴ to 10⁷ ohm^–1m^–1.

Solid metallic conductors are materials that allow the flow of electric current due to the presence of a large number of free electrons. These materials typically exhibit high electrical conductivity compared to insulators and semiconductors. Let us look into an explanation of the conductivity range of solid metallic conductors:

Factors influencing conductivity:

A. Presence of Free Electrons: In metallic conductors, such as metals, some of the valence electrons are not tightly bound to individual atoms but are instead free to move throughout the crystal lattice. These free electrons can move in response to an applied electric field, facilitating the flow of electric current.

B. Effect of Temperature: Generally, the conductivity of metallic conductors decreases with increasing temperature. This is because at higher temperatures, lattice vibrations disrupt the motion of free electrons, reducing their mobility and thus decreasing conductivity.

C. Effect of Impurities: The presence of impurities in metallic conductors can either increase or decrease conductivity, depending on the type and concentration of impurities. For example, the addition of impurity atoms can scatter free electrons, reducing conductivity, or it can introduce additional charge carriers, increasing conductivity.

Range of conductivity:

The conductivity of solid metallic conductors is typically expressed in terms of resistance or resistivity, with units of ohms per meter \((\Omega^{-1}m)\). Solid metallic conductors generally exhibit a wide range of conductivities, spanning several orders of magnitude. In most cases, the conductivity of metallic conductors falls within the range of \(10^4\) to \(10^7\) ohm\(^{-1}\)m\(^{-1}\). This range reflects the high conductivity characteristic of metallic conductors, allowing them to efficiently conduct electricity and fulfill their essential roles in various applications, such as electrical wiring, electronics, and power transmission.

In summary, the conductivity range of solid metallic conductors is typically high, falling within the order of \(10^4\) to \(10^7\) ohm\(^{-1}\)m\(^{-1}\). This range highlights the efficient flow of electric current facilitated by the presence of numerous free electrons in metallic conductors.