Between which two types of conductors does 2 AWG copper exhibit a lower resistance?

2 AWG copper exhibits a lower resistance when compared to aluminum conductors. This is primarily due to the inherent properties of copper, which has a lower resistivity than aluminum. Copper conductors are known for their excellent conductivity and performance in electrical applications.

While both aluminum and copper are commonly used as conductive materials, copper typically demonstrates better conductivity and lower resistance for a given size. This means that for a 2 AWG size, copper will allow a greater current to pass through with less voltage drop and energy loss compared to aluminum. Although aluminum is lighter and often more cost-effective, it has higher resistance, making copper the preferable choice when lower resistance is a critical factor in electrical systems.

When considering the other choices, while silver and gold also possess good conductive properties, they are not as commonly used as standard conductors due to their high cost and other material considerations. Steel, being primarily ferrous, is generally a poor conductor when compared to copper or aluminum and has a much higher resistance. Thus, the comparison specifically highlights that between copper and aluminum, copper demonstrates a significant advantage in terms of lower resistance.