Chemistry Regents Practice Test

Which of the following elements are malleable and good conductors of electricity?

1. Gold and copper

2. Tin and silver

3. Carbon and sulfur

4. Aluminum and iodine

The correct answer is: Tin and silver

The correct choice highlights elements that possess both malleability and good conductivity of electricity, which are characteristics typical of metals. Gold and copper, included in one of the options, are well-known for their excellent electrical conductivity and malleability, which allows them to be easily shaped into wires and sheets. Tin and silver also fit this description, as both are metals. Tin is utilized in coatings for other metals to prevent corrosion, and silver not only conducts electricity better than any other element but is also quite malleable, making it easy to work with in applications such as electronics and jewelry. In contrast, carbon and sulfur are nonmetals, which do not exhibit the malleability characteristic typical of metals, nor do they serve as effective conductors of electricity under standard conditions. Carbon can be an exception in some allotropes like graphite, but overall, it does not meet the requirements across its forms. Aluminum, while being malleable and a good conductor, pairs with iodine, a nonmetal that is neither malleable nor a good conductor of electricity. Thus, this combination does not meet the criteria. By focusing on the properties of metals, tin and silver, alongside gold and copper, collectively showcase the essential features of mal