conductors, insulators, semiconductors, superconductors

Conductors

Materials that conduct electricity.

Insulators

Materials that do not conduct electricity.

Superconductors

Materials with zero resistance.

Semiconductors

Materials with electrical conductivity between conductors and insulators.

Conductors

Materials that allow the flow of electrical current with minimal resistance, enabling efficient energy transfer. Common examples include metals like copper and aluminum.

Insulators

Materials that do not permit the flow of electricity due to high resistance, thereby preventing current from passing through. Examples include rubber, glass, and plastic.

Superconductors

Special materials that exhibit zero electrical resistance and the expulsion of magnetic fields when cooled to very low temperatures, allowing for lossless energy transfer. They are used in applications like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and particle accelerators.

Semiconductors

Materials that have electrical conductivity between that of conductors and insulators, allowing them to conduct electricity under certain conditions. They form the basis of modern electronics and include silicon and germanium.