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A chemist is trying to identify a sample of metal listed in the table below. She finds that the metal is one of the best conductors and does not melt at [tex]$1000^{\circ} C$[/tex]. Which type of metal does the chemist have?

[tex]\[
\begin{tabular}{|l|l|l|}
\hline
Material & Melting Point $\left(^{\circ} C \right)$ & Electrical Conductivity Ranking \\
\hline
aluminum & 660 & 3 \\
\hline
copper & 1085 & 2 \\
\hline
zinc & 420 & 4 \\
\hline
silver & 962 & 1 \\
\hline
nickel & 1455 & 5 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\][/tex]

A. aluminum
B. copper
C. zinc
D. silver
E. nickel



Answer :

GinnyAnswer
To determine which metal the chemist has, follow these steps:

1. Examine Melting Points: The metal does not melt at 1000°C. This means that the metal's melting point must be higher than 1000°C.
- Aluminum: Melting point = 660°C (less than 1000°C) -> Eliminate aluminum
- Copper: Melting point = 1085°C (greater than 1000°C)
- Zinc: Melting point = 420°C (less than 1000°C) -> Eliminate zinc
- Silver: Melting point = 962°C (less than 1000°C) -> Eliminate silver
- Nickel: Melting point = 1455°C (greater than 1000°C)

Based on melting points alone, the possibilities are narrowed down to copper and nickel.

2. Examine Electrical Conductivity: Next, we need to look at the electrical conductivity ranking to determine which of these remaining metals is the best conductor.
- Copper: Electrical conductivity ranking = 2
- Nickel: Electrical conductivity ranking = 5

Since the metal is one of the best conductors and among the given options, a lower ranking number means better conductivity, copper has a better conductivity ranking (2) compared to nickel (5).

Therefore, the metal the chemist is working with must be Copper (B).

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