It is known that atoms containing between 1 and 3 valence electrons are the best conductors.Aluminium which contains three valence electrons is a better conductor than platinum, which only contains one valence electron.Why is Aluminum a better conductor then platinium, even though platinum has less valence electrons? (and prove it.)
The answer lies in the nuclear shielding that occurs in the platinum atom because of the orbital ringsIn the platinum atom, there are 6 orbits of electronsThe valence electrons fall in the last orbit with just 1The aluminium atom only has 3 orbits and therefore has less nuclear shieldingAlso if you look at the electron configurationThe p orbit, which is were Aluminium is in, is more lose because of less compacting that is occurringWith the d orbital, your electrons are more tided up and not as easy to release and create charges.
