Why are liquids and gases not good conductors?

Answer 1

Heat conductance occurs when two atoms or molecules interact with one another. This means that they must be reasonably physically close to one another. Because the density of a gas is so much lower than that of a solid or liquid, it will not conduct heat well.

The conductance of electricity also requires a high density, but more importantly, since electricity is the flow of electrons, it requires that only minimal energy be required to excite electrons from the valence band to the conductance band. In metals, this band gap is extremely small, allowing large numbers of electrons to be excited to the conductance band by relatively little energy. Suffice it to say, no metal is a gas under any reasonable conditions.

Answer 2

Liquids and gases are poor conductors because of how their molecules are dispersed. Unlike solids that have their molecules close together, liquids and gases have theirs spread out making it nearly impossible to conduct anything.

Answer 3

The valence (outer) shell of the atom determines whether it's a conductor, semiconductor, or an insulator. Each shell can hold only a certain amount of electrons, once it's full, another shell is added. If a valence shell has few electrons, the electrons can easily move from one atom to the next, making it a good conductor. If it's half full, it's a good semiconductor. If it's almost full or full they cannot move easily between atoms, making it a good insulator. Non-metallic elements are poor conductors, that is why gasses are poor conductors.

Answer 4

because their not good at sharing electrons

Answer 5

There are no free electrons to carry a charge.

Answer 6

It sure is possible. However, in liquids and gases, there is also convection - and that often becomes the predominant method of heat exchange.

Answer 7

i dont know lol