International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) Chemistry Practice Exam

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If an element conducts electricity, what type of element is it likely to be?

Non-metal
Metalloid
Metal
Gas

The correct answer is: Metal

An element that conducts electricity is most likely to be a metal. Metals are characterized by their ability to conduct electricity due to the presence of free-moving electrons that can flow through the structure. This characteristic is due to their metallic bonding which allows electrons to move freely, making it possible for metals to transmit electric current efficiently. Non-metals, in contrast, generally do not conduct electricity because they lack these free electrons; they tend to hold onto their electrons more tightly. Metalloids can exhibit some properties of metals and may conduct electricity to a limited extent, but they are not as effective as metals overall. Gases are typically non-metals and also do not conduct electricity effectively under normal conditions. Thus, among the options provided, metals are the best fit for an element that conducts electricity, aligning with the observed properties of elements in the periodic table.