How can you tell if an element will conduct energy?

Answer 1

Elements are in fact a bundle of energy if you will. I believe what your asking is How can you tell if an element will conduct electricity.

If an atom contains less the the required atoms for its outer shell to become full and stable, it is classified as a conductor.

Here's why: The atoms of a given element is composed of the protons, neutrons, and electrons. Electrons are the "electricity" part of an atom. These electrons orbit the protons and neutrons that are at the center of the atom. The electrons are in Valence shells, which is basically which orbit the electrons are on, the closest shell/orbit can contain only 2 electrons, and then it is said to be stable and full; the second valence shell/orbit can only contain 8 electrons, and then it is said to be stable and full; the third valence shell/orbit can only contain 8 electrons, and then it is said to be stable and full also ect.... Now, if we took the third valence shell, and it only contained 1 electron, it is NOT stable and full, so this 1 electron/electricity-part-of-the-atom is free to float around to other empty shells. This is due to the fact that the electrons always want to be in a stable shell/orbit. Some atoms of certain elements naturally contain a full AND therefore stable outer valence shell, (the furthest shell/orbit away.)

If an atom contains less the the required atoms for its outer shell to become full and stable, it is classified as a conductor.

Answer 2

Elements that conduct energy well typically have loosely held outer electrons that can move freely in response to an electric field. These elements are typically found in the middle-left section of the Periodic Table, such as metals like copper and silver. Conversely, elements with tightly bound outer electrons, like nonmetals in the upper-right section of the periodic table, tend to be poor conductors of energy.