Which property of a material determines its ability to conduct electricity?

• A. Conductivity
• B. Resistivity
• C. Voltage
• D. Current

Answer: (A)

The ability of a material to conduct electricity is primarily determined by its conductivity. Conductivity is a measure of how easily electric charges can flow through a material. In conductive materials, such as metals, there are free electrons available to move and carry electric current, resulting in high conductivity values. This property is essential for understanding how materials interact with electrical energy, especially in applications such as wiring and electrical components.

In contrast, resistivity, while related, is a measure of how strongly a material opposes the flow of electric current. It is the reciprocal of conductivity and indicates how much resistance a material has to the flow of electricity. Voltage refers to the electrical potential difference that drives the current through a circuit, and current is the flow of electric charge. However, neither voltage nor current directly defines a material's ability to conduct electricity in the same fundamental way as conductivity does.