TITLE: If increasing applying energy to an atom excites electrons, why does electrical conductivity decrease as temperature increases?
QUESTION [8 upvotes]: Applying energy to an atom makes the electrons jump up to higher energy levels. This is known as excitation. Electrons on higher energy levels are easier to remove from an atom than those on lower energy levels. Since applying energy to an atom raises the electrons, the electrons become easier to remove.
It is intuitive to think that looser electrons means greater electrical conductance, since the electrons can move more easily between atoms and therefore allow electrical conductivity.
Yet, superconductors are usually kept at near 0 Kelvin, and thermal resistors increase resistance on an increase of temperature. Also, molten metals conduct less than those that are solid.
What is the flaw (if any) in this logic?

REPLY [0 votes]: In lamens terms, heat causes the molecules to expand from one another, that distance causes the electrical resistance.
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