What is the best conductor of electricity?

Silver is widely recognized as the best conductor of electricity among common metals. This is due to its atomic structure, which allows electrons to move freely and efficiently, facilitating the flow of electric current. The high conductivity of silver makes it an ideal choice for specialized applications, such as in high-frequency RF transmission and in some high-performance electrical components.

While copper and gold also exhibit excellent conductive properties, silver surpasses them in terms of conductivity. Copper is often used in electrical wiring and connectors due to its balance between conductivity, cost, and availability, and gold is often used for plating in connectors because it does not tarnish and maintains conductivity over time.

Aluminum, while a decent conductor, does not match the conductivity levels of silver, copper, or gold and is typically used in applications where weight is a concern, such as in overhead power lines, where its lightweight nature offers advantages despite its lower conductivity.