The following is a partial list of metals, showing their relative conductivity:
| Silver | 1. |
| Copper | 1.04 to 1.09 |
| Gold | 1.38 to 1.41 |
| Aluminum | 1.64[p. 136] |
| Zinc | 3.79 |
| Nickel | 4.69 |
| Iron | 6.56 |
| Tin | 8.9 |
| Lead | 13.2 |
| German Silver | 12.2 to 15 |
From this table it will be seen that, for instance, iron offers six and a half times the resistance of silver, and that German silver has fifteen times the resistance of silver.
This table is made up of strands of the different metals of the same diameters and lengths, so as to obtain their relative values.
Sizes of Conductors.—Another thing, however, must be understood. If two conductors of the same metal, having different diameters, receive the same current of electricity, the small conductor will offer a greater resistance than the large conductor, hence will generate more heat. This can be offset by increasing the diameter of the conductor. The metal used is, therefore, of importance, on account of the cost involved.
Comparison of Metals.—A conductor of aluminum, say, 10 feet long and of the same weight as copper, has a diameter two and a quarter times greater than copper; but as the resistance of aluminum is 50 per cent. more than that of silver, it will be seen that, weight for weight, copper is[p. 137] the cheaper, particularly as aluminum costs fully three times as much as copper.
The table shows that German silver has the highest resistance. Of course, there are other metals, like antimony, platinum and the like, which have still higher resistance. German silver, however, is most commonly used, although there are various alloys of metal made which have high resistance and are cheaper.
The principle of all electric heaters is the same,[p. 138] namely, the resistance of a conductor to the passage of a current, and an illustration of a water heater will show the elementary principles in all of these devices.