Question

Bismuth is a metal which does not conduct electricity
(A) True
(B) False

Answer 1

Bismuth has high electrical resistivity. Resistivity is a fundamental property of a material that signifies how strongly it resists electric current. High resistivity indicates that material that barely allows electric current.

Complete step by step solution:
-Bismuth is a pentavalent post-transition metal present in group 15 and period 6 of the periodic table.
-The atomic number of Bismuth is 83 and its electronic configuration is 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 5. It has five electrons in the outermost shell.
-When an electric current flows through any material, the material offers some obstruction to the current and this obstruction is known as electrical resistance.
-When an electric field is applied to an electric conductor, there is a movement of electrons which generates an electric current. Hence, those materials that readily allow the flow of charge through them are termed as conductors. In conductors, the electrons are free to move around inside the body and their random motion can be influenced by an electric field.
-Most electrical conductors are metals mainly because metals possess electrons in the outermost orbit which are most loosely held and can move around easily.
-Plastics and rubber are not influenced by electric fields as they do not have free electrons. The electrons in such materials are not free to move around and generate an electric current, such materials are called Electrical Insulators. Hence, the materials that do not permit the flow of current through them are referred to as insulators.
-Bismuth is a metal having five electrons in its outermost shell and high resistance to electric current. So, it is a poor conductor of electricity.

So, the correct option is (B) False.

Note: Pure Bismuth metal is inert and non-toxic as compared to lead. It has replaced toxic lead in many applications such as plumbing, birdshot, metal alloys, bullets, paints, ceramic glazes, soldering, etc. Bismuth compounds are used in stomach-upset medicines, treatment of stomach ulcers, soothing creams and cosmetics. Bismuth acts as a catalyst in the production of acrylic fibres.