Achemist is trying to identify a sample of metal that is listed in this table. she passes an electrical current through the sample and finds that, of the metals listed in the table, it’s one of the best conductors. then she heats the metal to 1000°c, which is the highest temperature her heater allows. the metal doesn’t melt. which type of metal does the chemist have?

material melting point (°c) electrical conductivity ranking
aluminum 660 3
copper 1085 2
zinc 420 4
silver 962 1
nickel 1455 5

a. aluminum
b. copper
c. zinc
d. silver
e. nickel

The correct option is E.

From the information given in the question, we are told that the metal is one of the best conductors and it has melting point that is greater than 1000 degree Celsius. This implies that, options A, C and D can be eliminated, because they have melting points that are less than 1000 degree Celsius. We now have copper and nickel left, but the electrical conductivity of nickel, which is 5 is greater than that of copper, which is 2, although the two of them have melting points that are greater than 1000. Thus, the metal that the chemist was working with is NICKEL.

conduction is the transfer of thermal energy (heat in transfer) due to collisions between the molecules in the object. collisions between adjacent atoms and molecules transfer kinetic energy from the warmer to the cooler object. the objects must be in physical contact.

let that person have a turn to speak : )