Which term describes the ability of a substance to conduct electricity?

Which term describes the ability of a substance to conduct electricity?

• A. Ductile
• B. Conductivity
• C. Odor
• D. Mass

Answer: (B)

The ability of a material to let electric charges move through it is called conductivity. This property tells you how easily electricity can flow inside the substance. Metals have high conductivity because their electrons can move freely, which is why they’re good conductors. Insulators, like plastic, have low conductivity because their electrons are held tightly, so little current can pass. Conductivity is the reciprocal of resistivity and is measured in siemens per meter (S/m). Temperature, impurities, and the material’s structure can affect how well it conducts. The other terms describe different ideas—ductile refers to how a material can be drawn into wires (a mechanical property), mass is a measure of amount of matter, and odor relates to smell—so they don’t describe electrical conduction.

The ability of a material to let electric charges move through it is called conductivity. This property tells you how easily electricity can flow inside the substance. Metals have high conductivity because their electrons can move freely, which is why they’re good conductors. Insulators, like plastic, have low conductivity because their electrons are held tightly, so little current can pass. Conductivity is the reciprocal of resistivity and is measured in siemens per meter (S/m). Temperature, impurities, and the material’s structure can affect how well it conducts. The other terms describe different ideas—ductile refers to how a material can be drawn into wires (a mechanical property), mass is a measure of amount of matter, and odor relates to smell—so they don’t describe electrical conduction.