A new material will be recognized as a metal if
A) Its electrical resistivity is independent of temperature.
B) Its conductivity increases with increasing temperature.
C) Its conductivity decreases with increasing temperature.
D) Its electrical resistivity is zero.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Metals typically have electrical conductivity that decreases with increasing temperature due to the increased scattering of electrons by phonons (vibrations of the lattice). This is a characteristic behavior of metals, distinguishing them from insulators or semiconductors, where the conductivity might increase with temperature.

A New Material Will Be Recognized as a Metal If