Yes, there is generally a positive correlation between the atomic number of an element and its conductivity of electricity in materials made out of these atoms. Conductivity refers to the ability of a material to conduct electric current.
Elements with higher atomic numbers, specifically metals, tend to have higher electrical conductivity compared to elements with lower atomic numbers. This is because metals have a large number of free electrons in their outermost energy levels (valence electrons) that are loosely bound to the atomic nucleus. These free electrons can move freely throughout the material, enabling the flow of electric current.
In metals, the presence of delocalized electrons, which are not associated with any specific atom, allows for efficient conduction of electricity. Elements such as copper (atomic number 29), silver (atomic number 47), and gold (atomic number 79) are excellent conductors due to their metallic bonding and the presence of numerous delocalized electrons.
However, it's important to note that not all elements with high atomic numbers exhibit good electrical conductivity. Some high atomic number elements, such as lead (atomic number 82) and bismuth (atomic number 83), are poor conductors of electricity. Their higher atomic numbers may contribute to their physical properties, but factors such as crystal structure, electron configuration, and other chemical properties also influence the electrical conductivity of materials.
In summary, while there is a general trend of higher atomic numbers correlating with higher electrical conductivity in metallic materials, other factors such as crystal structure and chemical bonding also play a significant role in determining the conductivity of a given material.