Question

Compare the physical properties of metals and non-metals in general with reference to electrical conductivity.
a.) Both are good conductor
b.) Both are poor conductor
c.) Metals are poor conductor while non metals are good conductor
d.) Metals are good conductor while non metals are poor conductor

Answer 1

Hint: The metals are the material that have electropositive nature. These have freely moving electrons in the material contributing to its electrical properties while the non metals have electronegative character. The non-metals do not even conduct heat.

Complete step by step answer:
First, let us compare the metals and non metals in general and then we will be able to spot the difference in their physical properties with reference to the electrical conductivity.
So, let us see the following table first.

S. No.	Metals	Non metals
1.	Metals are generally solids (exception : Mercury)	Non metals are generally liquids or gases in nature.
2.	These are malleable in nature i.e. these can be folded into thin sheets.	These are non-malleable in nature.
3.	These are ductile in nature i.e. these can be converted into thin wires.	These do not show even ductility.
4.	Metals are highly sonorous in nature. They produce sound.	Generally, these are non sonorous in nature.
5.	The metals are good conductors of heat and electricity.	The non metals are usually not good conductors of heat and electricity.
6.	Metals are highly electropositive in nature.	The non metals are highly electronegative in nature.
7.	The metals react with water giving oxides.	The non-metals do not react with water.

The metals are malleable, ductile and mostly solid in nature. These can easily donate electrons. The electrons lie freely moving in the metals. This leads to their property associated with good conductors of heat and electricity.
The non-metals do not show these properties. They are difficult to convert into wires and sheets. These get broken down during the conversion. Thus, non metals are poor conductors of heat and electricity.So, the correct answer is “Option D”.

Note: Due to various physical properties, metals have uses in industries. These are used to make electrical wires, jewellery etc. The Stainless steel is also manufactured. Metals have high tensile strength and thus, flexibility is low. Being good conductors of heat, many pots, pans and containers are made from metals. Some metals are even so soft that they could be cut with a knife like Sodium.