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Why is electrical wiring usually made from copper and not silver?A. Copper is a better conductorB. Copper is a better insulatorC. Copper is less expensiveD. Copper is non-magnetic

Aniket Singh , 1 Year ago
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Askiitians Tutor Team

Electrical wiring is usually made from copper rather than silver for several practical reasons. Let's analyze each option:
A. Copper is a better conductor
This statement is incorrect. While copper is an excellent conductor of electricity, it is not the absolute best. Silver is actually a better conductor than copper. Silver has a lower resistivity, meaning it offers even less resistance to the flow of electricity than copper. However, the difference in conductivity between copper and silver is relatively small, and the other factors below make copper the more practical choice for most applications.
B. Copper is a better insulator
This statement is incorrect. Copper is a conductor, not an insulator. In fact, materials like rubber, plastic, and ceramics are used as insulators in electrical wiring. Copper itself is not an insulator.
C. Copper is less expensive
This statement is correct. One of the main reasons copper is preferred for electrical wiring is that it is significantly less expensive than silver. Although silver has better conductivity, the high cost of silver makes it impractical for widespread use in electrical wiring. Copper offers a good balance of conductivity and cost, making it the more economical choice for large-scale use.
D. Copper is non-magnetic
This statement is partially true, but it is not the primary reason why copper is used. Copper is indeed non-magnetic, meaning it does not produce a magnetic field when current flows through it. However, the fact that copper is non-magnetic is not a significant advantage in the context of electrical wiring. While some specialized applications (such as certain electromagnets or in the construction of magnetic shielding) require non-magnetic materials, the primary concern for electrical wiring is cost and conductivity.
C. Copper is less expensive
Although silver has better conductivity, copper is the preferred material for electrical wiring because it is much more cost-effective. Copper strikes a good balance between conductivity, cost, and availability, making it the most common choice for electrical systems.

Last Activity: 1 Year ago
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