Asked by: Aissatu Cuijper
science chemistry

Why do non metals do not conduct electricity?

Last Updated: 18th May, 2020

24
Why Most Nonmetals CannotConductElectricity
Elements that readily give up electrons(themetals) can carry electric currentbecausetheir electrons can flow freely. Elements thatgainelectrons instead of giving them up cannot carryelectriccurrent. They hold onto their electrons so theycannotflow.

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Similarly, you may ask, can non metals conduct electricity?

Firstly, there are non metals that canconductelectricity (ionic compounds), except they have to bedissolvedto do that. most of the non metals do notconductelectricity but there are some exceptions likegraphite,Silicon-semi-conductor andmetalloids(alsosemiconductors).

Beside above, which non metal is good conductor of electricity? Definition: Graphite is a form of carbon which isanelement. Graphite is a non-metal and it is theonlynon-metal that can conduct electricity.Youcan find non-metals on the right side of theperiodictable and graphite is the only non-metal thatis agood conductor of electricity.

Also, why metals are good conductor of electricity but non metals are not?

Metals have free electrons which helps them intheconduction of electricity whereas non metalshaveno free electrons which makes them a poor conductorofelectricity. However some exceptions are there.Such asgraphitebeing a non metal is a good conductor ofelectricityand are also used as electrodes..

Why is graphite The only non metal that conducts electricity?

Graphite is unusual because it isanon-metal that conducts electricity.

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Is graphite a good conductor of electricity?

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-»SILICON CARBIDE is the hardestartificialnon-metal?.

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