Electrical Conductivity

A series of free IGCSE Chemistry Activities and Experiments (Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry).

The key test to distinguish between metals and non-metals is electrical conductivity. A simple circuit is set up using either a light bulb or an ammeter. Power is supplied by batteries or a power pack. Examine a range of solid elements and alloys including magnesium, zinc, tin, iron, nickel, roll sulfur, graphite, brass and solder.

This video tests the electrical conductivity of some metals and non-metals: Copper, Carbon, Magnesium, Aluminum, Sulfur, Zinc, Silicon

The following video tests whether the graphite in a pencil lead conducts electricity.

• Show Step-by-step Solutions

Does liquid mercury conduct electricity?

• Show Step-by-step Solutions

Questions

1. What types of material conduct electricity?
2. What common structural feature is present in all the samples that conduct electricity?

Solutions

• Show Answers
  1. Metals and graphite
  2. They all contain free electrons that can be made to flow in one direction.

Try out our new and fun Fraction Concoction Game.

Add and subtract fractions to make exciting fraction concoctions following a recipe. There are four levels of difficulty: Easy, medium, hard and insane. Practice the basics of fraction addition and subtraction or challenge yourself with the insane level.

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