>Although it is known that atoms containing few valence electrons are the best conductors, it is not known why some of these materials are better conductors than others. Copper, gold, platinum, and silver all contain only one valence electron. Silver, however, conducts electricity more readily than any of the others. Aluminum, which contains three valence electrons, is a better conductor than platinum, which contains only one valence electron.

So this is a quote from a book about electricity, I'm trying to relearn a bunch of stuff that I never paid much attention to during my school years and I found this interesting.

So any theories why this might be the case? What others factors do you think aside from the amount of valence electrons make silver a better conductor than gold/copper/platinum? Basically what makes electrons able to travel more freely in silver that in those other metals?