Question

Write the letters of the correct answers on the lines at left.

______ 3. Oliver builds a circuit connecting a light bulb to a battery with wires, leaving a gap in one of the wires. He places several objects across the gap to close the loop. He wants to see which objects allow electricity to flow and turn on the light bulb. Why do some materials allow electricity to flow through while others do not?


A. Electricity will flow if the atoms in the material are bound tightly to each other.
B. Electricity will flow if the atoms in the material are bound loosely to each other.
C. Electricity will flow if the electrons are bound tightly to their atoms in the material.
D. Electricity will flow if the electrons are bound loosely to their atoms in the material.

Answer 1

The answer is letter D.

Step-by-step explanation:

Electricity is the flow of electrons in a material in a specific direction. When we connect a differential potential between a conducting material, all valence electrons (the electrons which are in the outer shell of the electronic configuration of the atom) must move freely through the atom. This is the definition of a conducting material.

By the other hand in insulating materials, the valence electrons are bound tightly to their atoms, impeding the movement of the electrons due to the differential potential.

Therefore the answer will be letter D, electricity will flow if the electrons are bound loosely to their atoms in the material.

I hope it helps you!