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0 pointsteddyh1y ago0 comments

> Gold is an excellent conductor

Actually, gold is a worse conductor than both copper and silver, and only a little better than aluminum.

> and does not corrode in air

This is the real reason for plating contacts in gold. But gold wires would be a bad idea, since they would be worse than both copper and silver wires.

0 comments

Gud1y ago

Parent didn’t say gold was a better conductor than silver or copper though. How does gold compare to copper- or silver oxide? Which was the point parent was making.

teddyhOP1y ago

The text was unclear; perhaps they did not believe that gold is a superior conductor to copper and silver. But in my experience, many people do think that, and I thought it would be useful to point out that this is not true.

bluGill1y ago

Parent did say gold was a good conductor which is arguable false.

ssl-31y ago

Aluminum is also an excellent conductor.

SoftTalker1y ago

But also corrodes more than copper, making it unsuitable for household wiring unless special precautions are taken.

ssl-31y ago

Indeed. It has some practical issues that need properly mitigated, but it is still a very good conductor.

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0 pointsteddyh1y ago0 comments

> Gold is an excellent conductor

Actually, gold is a worse conductor than both copper and silver, and only a little better than aluminum.

> and does not corrode in air

This is the real reason for plating contacts in gold. But gold wires would be a bad idea, since they would be worse than both copper and silver wires.

0 comments

Gud1y ago

Parent didn’t say gold was a better conductor than silver or copper though. How does gold compare to copper- or silver oxide? Which was the point parent was making.

teddyhOP1y ago

bluGill1y ago

Parent did say gold was a good conductor which is arguable false.

ssl-31y ago

Aluminum is also an excellent conductor.

SoftTalker1y ago

But also corrodes more than copper, making it unsuitable for household wiring unless special precautions are taken.

ssl-31y ago

Indeed. It has some practical issues that need properly mitigated, but it is still a very good conductor.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse