ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY

BY,
K.HARISH
 ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY

• Electrical conductivity is the measure of ability of a metal to conduct

current.

• It is an intrinsic property of a material.

• The intrinsic properties of something depends on that thing only. For

example : mass, density ,etc…

• Electrical conductivity is denoted by σ (sigma) , k (kappa) and also γ

(gamma).
_
• Its SI unit is sm 1 (siemens per meter)
• Electrical conductivity is closely related to electrical conductance.

• Electrical conductance is the ease with which the electric current pass
through the substance.

• Its unit is mho.

• Electrical conductivity is classified into three types
They are:

1. Conductor.
2. Insulator.
3. Semi conductor.
 1.CONDUCTORS

• The materials which allow electricity to pass through them are called as
conductors.

• Usually all the metals come under conductors.

• example : copper, aluminium, etc.

CONDUCTORS
 2. INSULATOR

• The substance that does not allow electric current to pass through them are
called insulators.

• Example : wood, plastic, rubber, etc.

 3.SEMI CONDUCTORS

• Semi conductors are the materials which partially conducts electricity.

• Example : silicon , germanium , indium , gallium , etc.

• Some of the semi conductors are used in diodes, transistor , Photovoltaic

cells etc.
 SUPER CONDUCTORS

• As the temperature decreases till it reaches the critical temperature

resistance vanishes , i.e., it allows the electricity to flow completely freely
through it.

• Super conductors are used in superconducting magnet which are used to

levitate the train.

• Super conducting wires are used to conduct electricity without any losses.
 METALLIC BOND

• Every metal conducts electricity because it has metallic bond in it.

• Metallic bond results due to the attraction between the metal atom and the
surrounding delocalised sea electron structure.

• Valance electron can move freely around the whole metal structure, they
are not confined to any one atom.

• Atoms are tightly packed together but the electrons move freely from one
atom to other atom.

• It is non-directional.
 COVALENT BOND

• Covalent bond are formed due to mutual sharing of the valance electron
between two atoms.

• This bond is directional.

• Its is a strong bond because the bonded electron pair is strongly attracted by
two nuclei.

• Due to covalent bond the insulators like wood does not conduct electricity.
• In semi conductor it has covalent bond in it.

• A pure semi conductor has 4 valance electron in it.

• An external energy is required to break the covalent bond.

• When at a room temperature only some electrons can became free.

• So it behaves as insulators or it conducts only small amount of current

through it.