Conductivity in a metal results from the metal atoms having(1) high electronegativity(2) high ionization energy(3) highly mobile protons in the nucleus(4) highly mobile electrons in the valence shell

The answer is (4). You may recall hearing about the "sea of electrons" model of metals. Metals represent the ultimate case of delocalized (shared) valence electrons, and these delocalized valence electrons are what freely move around, conducting current through the body of the metal.

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superman1987 superman1987 · Answer 2 · 2018-08-11T12:04:23-04:00

The correct answer is (4) highly mobile electrons in the valence shell

The explanation:

-A metal consists of a lattice of atoms, each with a shell of electrons. This is also known as a positive ionic lattice.

- The outer electrons are free to dissociate from their parent atoms and travel through the lattice, creating a sea of electrons, his valence electrons are what freely move around making the metal a conductor.

-When an electrical potential difference is applied across the metal, the electrons drift from one end of the conductor to the other under the influence of the electric field.