Which of the following materials are classified as conductors?

Study for the PLTW Principles of Engineering Exam. Dive into flashcards and multiple choice questions with detailed explanations to ace your exam. Prepare confidently!

Conductors are materials that allow electricity or heat to flow through them with minimal resistance. Copper and aluminum are both excellent conductors of electricity due to their atomic structure, which allows free electrons to move easily. This property makes them ideal for electrical wiring and components in various applications.

Copper, in particular, is one of the best conductors available, which is why it is widely used in electrical conductors and circuitry. Aluminum, while not as conductive as copper, is lighter and less expensive, making it a common choice in applications where weight and cost are considered, such as in power transmission lines.

In contrast, the materials listed in the other options—like glass, mica, water, oil, quartz, and steel—have varying levels of conductivity. Glass and mica are insulators, impeding the flow of electricity. Water can conduct electricity, but pure water is a poor conductor compared with metals; impurities in water can improve its conductivity, yet it does not compare to materials like copper and aluminum. Steel is a conductor but is generally not as efficient as copper or aluminum for electrical applications.

Thus, copper and aluminum stand out as the best representatives of conductive materials in this context.

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