Elektrijuhtiv

Elektrijuhtiv refers to the property of a material that allows electric charge to flow through it. Materials exhibiting high electrical conductivity are known as conductors, while those with very low conductivity are called insulators. The degree of conductivity depends on the availability and mobility of charge carriers within the material. In metals, these charge carriers are typically free electrons. In electrolytes, they are ions.

The SI unit for electrical conductivity is siemens per meter (S/m). It is the reciprocal of electrical resistivity, which measures a material's opposition to electric current. Factors influencing a material's conductivity include its atomic structure, temperature, and the presence of impurities. For example, the conductivity of metals generally decreases with increasing temperature because increased atomic vibrations impede electron flow. Superconductors are a special class of materials that exhibit zero electrical resistance below a critical temperature, allowing current to flow indefinitely without energy loss. Understanding electrical conductivity is fundamental to the design and operation of electrical circuits, electronic devices, and energy transmission systems.