Pushing the same atom along a copper surface is easier, just one-1,600-millionth of an ounce of force.
How about gold, which is more conductive than either metal? Gold should take even less force.
The work was done in the Almaden Research Center in San Jose, California.
For those who do not know, IBM started as the Bundy Manufacturing Company in Downtown Binghamton NY at the turn of the century, They then moved to Endicott, 8 miles to the west, at that time a shoe manufacturing mecca. Now the area is uber-gentrified and both Endicott-Johnson and IBM are gone, victims of the irresponsible government of Broome County and the State of New York. It is a d**n shame.
Gold is a good conductor of ELECTRONS, as in electric current. Does that mean it’s a good conductor of ATOMS? Good question. I dunno.
Actually, conductivity in megasiemens per meter:
Silver 63
Copper 58 or 59
Gold 45
Aluminum 37
Platinum 9.5