Question

Copper (Cu) is a metal, nitrogen (N) is a nonmetal, and tellurium (Te) is a metalloid. Which answer shows these three elements in order of decreasing electrical conductivity?

Options:
a) Te, Cu, N
b) Te, N, Cu
c) Cu, N, Te
d) Cu, Te, N

Answer 1

The order of elements from highest to lowest electrical conductivity is copper (Cu), tellurium (Te), and nitrogen (N), which corresponds to option d.

Step-by-step explanation:

In chemistry, electrical conductivity ranges significantly between metals, nonmetals, and metalloids. Metals like copper (Cu) are known for their excellent ability to conduct electricity. Nonmetals, such as nitrogen (N), are typically poor conductors. Metalloids like tellurium (Te) have intermediate properties. Consequently, in the context of the given elements, copper would have the highest conductivity, followed by the metalloid tellurium, and nitrogen would have the lowest. Therefore, the correct order of these elements in terms of decreasing electrical conductivity is Cu, Te, N, which corresponds to option d.