Conductors and Insulators

Conductors are:

Materials that allow the flow of electric current

Insulators are:

Materials that resist the flow of electric current

How is Glass an insulator?

It is made of silica(silicon dioxide) which forms a rigid lattice structure, and the electrons in it are tightly bound and cannot move freely, preventing the flow of electric current

How is Gold a conductor?

Valuable for use in electronics due to it’s resistance to corrosion and high conductivity

What are insulator examples of electric current?

Glass, Plastics, Paper, and Rubber

What are Conductor examples of electric current?

Gold, graphite, and water

How is Graphite a conductor?

It is a non metallic conductor, it has some properties of metals, and it is used in batteries and electrical contacts

How is Water a conductor?

Because of impurities(ions) that allow the flow of electric current

How are Plastics insulators?

Their molecules hold onto their electrons very tightly, preventing them from moving freely and carrying an electrical charge

How is paper an insulator?

The electrons in its molecules are tightly bound, preventing them from moving freely and thus not allowing electricity to flow through it easily

How is Rubber an insulator?

It’s molecular structure tightly binds electrons to its atoms, preventing them from moving freely and thus inhibiting the flow of electricity through it