1.1 Materials and their applications : physical properties

electrical conductor

Allows the flow of electrical current through the material. A good conductor gives very little resistance to the flow of charge.

electrical insulator

Does not allow the flow of electricity through the material

thermal conductor

Allows the transfer of heat energy through the material. A material with high thermal conductivity allows the transfer of heat to occur quickly across the material.

thermal insulator

Prevents the transfer of heat through the material.

thermal expansion

The increase in volume of a substance due to an increase in temperature

opaque

prevents light from travelling through

translucent

allows light through but diffuses the light so that objects appear blurred.Frosted glass is an example of a translucent material

Transparent

allows light to pass through easily which means you can see clearly through the material

Density

the mass of the material in a standard volume of space

fusibility

The ability of a material to change into a liquid or molten state when heated to its melting point

magnetism

The force of attraction or repulsion of magnetic materials

corrosion/degradation resistance

The ability of the material to withstand environmental attack and decay.