To determine which metal the chemist has, we need to evaluate the given conditions: the sample must not melt at [tex]\(1000^{\circ} C\)[/tex], and it is one of the best electrical conductors among the metals listed.
First, let's look at the data provided, focusing on the melting points and the conductivity rankings:
1. Aluminum: Melting Point [tex]\(660^{\circ} C\)[/tex], Conductivity Ranking [tex]\(3\)[/tex]
2. Copper: Melting Point [tex]\(1085^{\circ} C\)[/tex], Conductivity Ranking [tex]\(2\)[/tex]
3. Zinc: Melting Point [tex]\(420^{\circ} C\)[/tex], Conductivity Ranking [tex]\(4\)[/tex]
4. Silver: Melting Point [tex]\(962^{\circ} C\)[/tex], Conductivity Ranking [tex]\(1\)[/tex]
5. Nickel: Melting Point [tex]\(1455^{\circ} C\)[/tex], Conductivity Ranking [tex]\(5\)[/tex]
Now, let's rule out the metals based on their melting points:
- Aluminum (660°C) will melt at 1000°C.
- Zinc (420°C) will melt at 1000°C.
- Silver (962°C) will melt at 1000°C.
Thus, aluminum, zinc, and silver cannot be the metal in question because they all melt at temperatures below or equal to [tex]\(1000^{\circ}C\)[/tex].
This leaves us with two metals that won't melt at [tex]\(1000^{\circ}C\)[/tex]:
- Copper (1085°C)
- Nickel (1455°C)
Next, we'll compare their electrical conductivity rankings to find the best conductor that remains between these two options:
- Copper has a conductivity ranking of [tex]\(2\)[/tex].
- Nickel has a conductivity ranking of [tex]\(5\)[/tex].
Since the chemist finds that the metal is one of the best electrical conductors, we should select the metal with the lower (better) conductivity ranking.
Therefore, the metal that the chemist has is copper.
The final answer is:
B. copper
