Why can iron conduct electricity?

Answer 1

Iron, like all metals, has electrons in its outer shell that are not tightly bound to the nucleus.

Compared to non-metals, it's easy for one or more electrons to escape from the outer shell and move freely in the metal's crystal lattice.

It's this population of free electrons that can be "recruited" and made to move in a particular direction, that makes metals good conductors.

Iron is a so-so conductor, but it's not as good as copper or silver.

Answer 2

All metals Conduct:

Steel, iron, copper, aluminum, zinc and all other metals conduct electricity very well compared to most other compounds. (These pure metals conduct, but when they are used to form compounds, the result may of may not conduct electricity.)

Why metals conduct:

With the discoveries in solid state physics of the 20th century we learned that metals are collections of atoms which have somewhat unusually properties of the electrons. In metals the outermost electron (sometimes two) is not specifically associated with that one atom but is free to associate with atoms far and wide. We say these are delocalized electrons. Since the electrons are not attached to specific atoms, it takes very little energy to move them. As a result, any small voltage causes electron flow in a metal.

This movement or flow of electrons is called electricity so this is why metals conduct electricity.

Aside: Metals are not the only materials that conduct electricity, they just do it especially well.

Answer 3

Iron can conduct electricity because it contains mobile electrons that are able to move freely within its atomic structure. When a voltage is applied, these electrons can flow through the material, creating an electric current. This property is essential for various applications, such as in electrical wiring and electronic devices.