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deleted
42 Posts |
 Posted - 08/14/2007 : 16:27:16
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When we were young , our science teacher made us memorize that silver is the best conductor, and copper is 2nd.
But why don't we use silver as wires? Because it's too expensive! So when the burglar comes to your house he won't search for jewelry, he'll just need to pull out your wires!
WELL GUESS WHAT, we are here today! People are stealing copper wires. We've come a long way in just two decades. Copper is worth enough to be stolen! How sad is that about our economy.
Ok, here's another one :
Q: How was copper wiring invented?
A: Two ______ (insert racist stereotype of greedy stingy people) fighting over a penny!
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Jason
Penny Pincher Member
USA
138 Posts |
Posted - 08/15/2007 : 00:51:04
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| I thought gold was the best conductor of electricity. I'm willing to take your word for it. I find myself wrong many times everyday so this is nothing new:) |
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horgad
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1641 Posts |
 Posted - 08/15/2007 : 07:42:11
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The answer to what is the best conductor of electricty is complicated and depends on both the material and environmental conditions such as temperature. There are some carbon materials and other non-metals that handily beat out gold and silver and then there are the superconductors. The colder it gets the less resistance in the superconductors. Gold and silver to not act like superconductors, so a lowly metal like tin or aluminium may beat out gold and silver if it is cold enough.
If the questions is limited to include only metals at room temperature, the list is silver, copper, and then gold. Of course, if money were no object gold would be prefered in many applications because it does not corrode. It would be interesting to see how gold compares to silver and copper after the wire starts to age...
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c140cessna
Penny Collector Member
USA
419 Posts |
Posted - 08/15/2007 : 19:54:55
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Silver is also #1 thermal conductor....at reasonable temperatures. We are fortunate that copper is a very good conductor at a very reasonable cost. Aluminum is also a good thermal and electrical conductor....in the 1970's they allowed Aluminum for house wiring....and it caused a lot of electrical fires. As long a civilization doesn't completely melt down, copper will be a high demand metal going forward.....if it is electrified - it needs copper.
M41/0.48USMI:US1Cu160000,CA1Cu282000,CA5Ni30000 |
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deleted
42 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2007 : 00:36:57
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quote:
Originally posted by c140cessna
Silver is also #1 thermal conductor....at reasonable temperatures. We are fortunate that copper is a very good conductor at a very reasonable cost. Aluminum is also a good thermal and electrical conductor....in the 1970's they allowed Aluminum for house wiring....and it caused a lot of electrical fires. As long a civilization doesn't completely melt down, copper will be a high demand metal going forward.....if it is electrified - it needs copper.
M41/0.48USMI:US1Cu160000,CA1Cu282000,CA5Ni30000
Exactly my point, copper is becoming unreasonable in cost as it's now worth stealing, but I guess that makes it less waste when people are willing to reuse and recycle. |
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Does anybody remember this wiring joke?
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