Which of the following is a poor conductor of electricity?
Which of the following is a poor conductor of electricity?
Options
(A) Pb (Lead)
Hint
Recall which two metals the chapter names as comparatively poor conductors of heat.
Analysis & Explanation
The chapter states that metals are generally good conductors of heat and electricity, but among metals, conductivity varies. It explicitly notes: "The best conductors of heat are silver and copper. Lead and mercury are comparatively poor conductors of heat." The same relative ordering carries over to electrical conductivity, since good thermal conductors (free electrons enabling heat transfer) are also good electrical conductors.
- (A) Pb — Correct. Lead is explicitly named in the text as a comparatively poor conductor (of heat, and correspondingly of electricity) among common metals.
- (B) Cu — Incorrect. Copper is named as one of the best conductors of heat and is used for electrical wiring precisely because it conducts electricity very well.
- (C) Ag — Incorrect. Silver is named as the best conductor of heat among metals and is also the best electrical conductor.
- (D) Al — Incorrect. Aluminium is a good conductor of electricity (used in wires and for making cooking vessels/anodising) and is not identified in the text as a poor conductor.
Hence lead (Pb) is the poor conductor among the given options.
Common Mistakes
- 1Confusing 'poor conductor among metals' with 'insulator' — lead still conducts electricity, just less well than Cu, Ag, Al.
- 2Picking Al by mistake, forgetting it is used for electrical transmission wires.
Interesting Facts
Silver is the best electrical conductor of all metals but is too expensive for everyday wiring, so copper (second best) is used instead.
Lead's poor conductivity, combined with its softness and resistance to corrosion, is one reason it is used in solder along with tin.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2026?
This question carries 1 mark in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2026 examination.
Which chapter does this question come from in Science?
This question is from the chapter "Metals and Non-metals" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.
What topic does this question cover in Science?
This question covers the topic "Physical properties of metals — conductivity" from CBSE Class 10 Science.
What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2026 paper?
This is a MCQ question from Section B in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2026 paper.