Why do metals conduct electricity better than other materials?

Metals conduct electricity well because of their atomic structure. Metal atoms have loosely bound outer electrons that are not tied to any specific atom. These electrons form a "sea" of free electrons that can move throughout the entire material. When a voltage is applied, these electrons drift in a directed flow, creating an electric current. In contrast, materials like rubber or glass have electrons tightly bound to their atoms, leaving no free charge carriers to move. Semiconductors like silicon fall in between, with some electrons able to break free under certain conditions. The abundance and mobility of free electrons in metals is what makes them such effective conductors compared to most other materials.