How does copper compare with silver in electrical conductivity?

When comparing the electrical conductivity of copper and silver, silver is the more effective conductor of electricity.

While both metals are excellent conductors, a metal's ability to conduct electric current depends not only on the number of free electrons available but also on the mobility of those electrons—the ease with which they move through the crystal structure when influenced by an electric field. Silver possesses a higher electron mobility than copper, which allows it to conduct electricity more efficiently.12

In practical applications, copper is widely used for electrical wiring because it offers high conductivity at a lower cost than silver, despite silver's superior performance. It is important to note that the conductivity of copper can be significantly reduced if it is not pure, as impurities or alloying elements introduce structural irregularities that interfere with the movement of free electrons.1