Which among the following is a poor conductor of electricity?

The correct answer is option 4) i.e. Mica

CONCEPT:

• Conductors: Atoms of conducting materials have free electrons in them.
  • ​When a charged body is brought in contact with a conductor, the charges are transferred to the conductor until the force of repulsion between electrons in areas of excess electrons is decreased to a minimum value.
  • Good conductors are materials that allow charges to flow through them. 
• Insulators: Perfect insulators do not have free electrons in them.
  • ​When a charged body is brought in contact with an insulator, the charge remains at the point of contact and does not get distributed over the entire body of the insulator. 
  • Insulators are bad or poor conductors of charges.

​EXPLANATION:

• Generally, metals have free electrons in them that make them good conductors.
• Silver, copper, and gold are metallic elements and are good conductors.
• Mica is non-metal and there are no free electrons to conduct. Hence, it is a poor conductor of electricity.