4A
YOUR ANSWER:
Its atoms can easily accept and give up electrons.
(From P1-1A)
Good for you. That's exactly what we wanted. In order for a material to be a good conductor, it must
have a good supply of free electrons and be ready, willing, and able to accept more and/or give up what has.
We said that a conductor is a material that offers small opposition to the flow of electrons. So actually,
what we are saying is that a good conductor will readily accept or give up its valence (free) electrons. Some of
the more common materials that will do this for us are gold, silver, copper, and aluminum.
Now, let's go back over something else we have already learned. Complete the following statement:
The purpose of a conductor is
to supply a source of free electrons.
Page 1-1B
to provide a path for the electrons to
Page 1-6B
travel around the circuit.
to provide a force to move the electrons
Page 1-9B
around the circuit.
4B
YOUR ANSWER:
The atomic structure of a material has very little effect on its resistance.
(From P1-8A)
Now wait a minute. You must have misunderstood. We said there are four factors that determined the
resistance of a material. And we also said the most important of these four factors is the atomic structure. The
atomic structure determines if a material has free electrons, and how many free electrons it has. This number of
free or valence electrons is the major factor in determining the resistance of a material. Go back to Page 1-8A and
choose another answer.
IT0340
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