Some elements can conduct electricity, and some can't. To understand what this means, first look at what the flow of electricity really is. Electricity is a flow of electrons, the negatively charged particles in the outer shells of an atom. The electrons can most easily flow when they are in the outermost shells. When a source of electric current is applied, the loosely held electrons "flow", pushing/repelling other electrons; negative charges repel each other. Some elements are good conductors due to the "looseness" with which the outer electrons are held. Others are very poor conductors--their electrons are held tightly, and do not "flow" Copper is a good conductor, sulphur is not, due to how tightly their outer electrons are held in place.
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