Elektrizitätsleitfähigkeit

Elektrizitätsleitfähigkeit, often referred to as electrical conductivity, is a fundamental property of materials that describes their ability to conduct electric current. It is the reciprocal of electrical resistivity. A high electrical conductivity indicates that a material readily allows electric charge carriers, such as electrons or ions, to move through it, thus facilitating the flow of electric current. Conversely, a low electrical conductivity signifies a material that resists the flow of electric current.

The unit of electrical conductivity in the International System of Units (SI) is siemens per meter (S/m). Materials with very high conductivity are known as conductors, with common examples including metals like copper, silver, and gold. These materials possess free electrons that can easily move when an electric field is applied. Materials with very low conductivity are called insulators or dielectrics, such as rubber, glass, and plastics. They have tightly bound electrons that do not move freely.

There are also materials with intermediate conductivity, known as semiconductors, like silicon and germanium. Their conductivity can be controlled and modified, making them crucial for electronic devices. Temperature, impurities, and the physical state of a material can all influence its electrical conductivity. For instance, the conductivity of metals generally decreases with increasing temperature, while that of semiconductors often increases.