No, it's not a homework question.
All atoms are made up of the same stuff. Electrons are electrons. So what makes some elements conductors and others not? Why do some elements form magnetic domains and become magnetized?
The popular answer to the first question is that metals have one or two electrons in their valence shell and are easily pulled away to form an electrical current? Okay for the simple examples. but Lead has four valence electrons. So does carbon and silicon. Why so different electrically? Lead is a conductor. Carbon and silicon are semiconductors or insulators, depending on the crystal structure.
Magnetism? Still really a mystery to me. Yes, I understand that when we get the electron shells to all spin in the same direction the magnetic fields join together. So why don't all elements behave the same way?
All atoms are made up of the same stuff. Electrons are electrons. So what makes some elements conductors and others not? Why do some elements form magnetic domains and become magnetized?
The popular answer to the first question is that metals have one or two electrons in their valence shell and are easily pulled away to form an electrical current? Okay for the simple examples. but Lead has four valence electrons. So does carbon and silicon. Why so different electrically? Lead is a conductor. Carbon and silicon are semiconductors or insulators, depending on the crystal structure.
Magnetism? Still really a mystery to me. Yes, I understand that when we get the electron shells to all spin in the same direction the magnetic fields join together. So why don't all elements behave the same way?