Here's a breakdown:
Metals:
* High Conductivity: Metals are excellent conductors of electricity because they have free electrons that can move easily throughout the material.
* Reason: Metallic bonds involve a "sea" of delocalized electrons. These electrons are not tightly bound to any specific atom and can readily carry electrical current.
Nonmetals:
* Low Conductivity: Nonmetals generally have poor conductivity due to the lack of free electrons.
* Reason: Nonmetals have strong covalent bonds, which hold their electrons tightly. These electrons are not free to move and carry current.
Factors that can influence electrical conductivity:
* Temperature: Increased temperature generally reduces the conductivity of metals because the atoms vibrate more, hindering electron movement. In nonmetals, increased temperature can actually slightly increase conductivity as some electrons may gain enough energy to break free from their bonds.
* Impurities: Impurities in metals can disrupt the flow of electrons and decrease conductivity.
* Structure: The arrangement of atoms within a material can also influence conductivity.
Key point: The difference in electrical conductivity between metals and nonmetals boils down to the presence or absence of free electrons.
