What is a poor conductor of electricity?
1. mercury
2. molten NaCl
3. copper
4. potassium
5. sulfur
I think the answer you are looking for is S. You know Hg, Cu, and K conduct electricity for they are metals. Molten NaCl consists of a sea of ions floating around so that conducts electricity very well. That leaves S by elemination.
The poor conductor of electricity among the given options is 5. sulfur.
To determine which substance is a poor conductor of electricity, we need to understand the properties of a good conductor. Good conductors of electricity generally have metallic bonds or consist of mobile charged particles that can easily carry an electric charge. A poor conductor, also known as an insulator, does not have these properties and does not allow the flow of electric charges.
Now, let's analyze each substance and determine whether it is a good conductor or a poor conductor:
1. Mercury: Mercury is a liquid metal and exhibits metallic bonding. It contains mobile charged particles, making it an excellent conductor of electricity. Therefore, mercury is not a poor conductor of electricity.
2. Molten NaCl: Molten NaCl, or molten salt, contains ions that are free to move in the liquid state. Since it has mobile charged particles, it can conduct electricity well. Thus, molten NaCl, like mercury, is not a poor conductor.
3. Copper: Copper is a metal that has excellent conductivity. It has metallic bonds and mobile charged particles that allow the easy flow of electric charges through its structure. Hence, copper is a good conductor of electricity, not a poor conductor.
4. Potassium: Similar to copper and mercury, potassium is also a metal, and metals tend to be good conductors of electricity. Potassium has metallic bonds and mobile charged particles, making it a good conductor rather than a poor conductor.
5. Sulfur: Sulfur, in its solid elemental form, is considered a poor conductor of electricity. It lacks metallic bonds and does not contain mobile charged particles that can easily carry electric charges. Consequently, sulfur is the correct answer as a poor conductor of electricity.
In conclusion, among the given substances, sulfur is the poor conductor of electricity, while mercury, molten NaCl, copper, and potassium are good conductors of electricity.