2.1.4

Conductors

Test yourself

Electrical Conductors and Insulators

Some materials conduct electricity and others do not.

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Electrical conductors

  • An electrical conductor is a material that allows electric currents (flow of electric charges) to pass through it.
  • All metals are electrical conductors.
Illustrative background for Electrical insulatorsIllustrative background for Electrical insulators ?? "content

Electrical insulators

  • An electrical insulator is a material that doesn’t allow electric currents (flow of electric charges) to pass through it.
  • Plastic and glass are electrical insulators.

Electrical Conductors - Electrons

The free electrons inside electrical conductors explain why they can conduct electricity.

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Electrical conductors

  • An electrical conductor has lots of charges that are free to move.
  • In a metal, the charges that are free to move are electrons.
  • The electric current through the metal is the flow of these free electrons.
Illustrative background for Electrical insulatorsIllustrative background for Electrical insulators ?? "content

Electrical insulators

  • An electrical insulator has no free electrons.
  • No charges are free to move and carry a current.

Jump to other topics

1Energy

2Electricity

3Particle Model of Matter

4Atoms & Radiation

5Forces

6Waves

7Magnetism

8Astrophysics

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