As an expert in the field of materials science, I've spent considerable time studying the properties of various substances, including their electrical conductivity. It's a fascinating aspect of chemistry and physics, where the behavior of electrons and ions within different materials can lead to a wide range of applications.

Firstly, it's important to clarify that electrical conductivity is the measure of a material's ability to conduct an electric current. Metals are renowned for their high conductivity due to the free movement of electrons within their structure. However, the realm of conductors is not limited to metals alone.

Non-metals, despite being generally poor conductors of electricity, have some notable exceptions. For instance, graphite, an allotrope of carbon, is a good conductor of electricity. This is due to its structure, where each carbon atom is bonded to three others in a plane, leaving one electron free to move and carry charge.

Another point to consider is that some ionic compounds can conduct electricity, but they typically require a medium to do so. When these compounds are dissolved in water or melted, they dissociate into ions which are then free to move and carry an electric current. This is a process known as electrolysis.

Let's delve a bit deeper into the concept. The ability of a material to conduct electricity is largely dependent on the presence of charge carriers. In metals, these are free electrons, which move easily through the material, allowing for the flow of electric current. In contrast, most non-metals have electrons that are tightly bound to their atoms, making them poor conductors.

However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, semiconductors, which can be either elements like silicon or germanium, or compounds like gallium arsenide, have properties that fall between those of conductors and insulators. They can conduct electricity under certain conditions, such as when exposed to heat or light, which can increase the number of charge carriers.

Furthermore, there are superconductors, which are materials that can conduct electricity without any resistance at very low temperatures. While many superconductors are metallic, some non-metallic materials have also been found to exhibit superconductivity.

In summary, while metals are the most well-known conductors, there are several non-metallic materials that also possess the ability to conduct electricity. The key lies in the structure and the presence of charge carriers within the material. Understanding these properties is crucial for the development of new materials and technologies in various fields, including electronics, energy, and medicine.

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We all know that in solid electrons are carrier of electricity while ions are carrier in liquids.but note that some non-metal can conduct electricity like graphite an allotrope of carbon. Firstly, there are non metals that can conduct electricity (ionic compounds), except they have to be dissolved to do that.Nov 30, 2014read more >>