Wiktor Wise
Non-conductors of electricity, also known as insulators, are materials that impede the flow of electrons. This is because the atoms in insulators have tightly bound electrons that cannot be shared with neighbouring atoms. Insulators are used to protect us from the harmful effects of electricity. Some common insulators are glass, plastic, rubber, dry wood, and cotton. It is important to note that some materials can be insulators in their pure form but become conductors when doped with small quantities of another element or when containing impurities. Additionally, temperature can affect the conductivity of materials, with some insulators becoming better conductors at higher temperatures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A substance that does not transmit electricity |
| Examples | Glass, plastic, rubber, natural and synthetic fibres (e.g. cotton, nylon, wool), air, wood, water |
| Atoms | Tightly bound electrons that cannot be shared with neighbouring atoms |
| Conductivity | Poor conductors of electricity due to the difficulty of electron movement |
| Temperature | Some non-conductors, like glass, become better conductors when the temperature increases |
| Use | Non-conductors are used as insulators to protect from the dangerous effects of electricity |
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What You'll Learn
Glass is a non-conductor
However, glass can conduct electricity when it is heated to high temperatures. When glass is heated to 1000 Kelvin, it has a resistivity of less than 107 ohm-meters. As glass becomes molten, the once immobile ions are able to drift further between collisions under the influence of an applied electric field, allowing it to conduct electricity.
The ability of a material to conduct electricity depends on the movement of electrons, which is influenced by factors such as temperature. At higher temperatures, the atoms and electrons in a material gain energy, which can affect their electrical conductivity. While glass is a poor conductor when cool, it can become a good conductor when heated to high temperatures.
In summary, glass is generally considered a non-conductor of electricity due to its insulating properties at room temperature. However, when heated to high temperatures, glass can undergo a transformation and become capable of conducting electrical currents.
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Plastics are non-conductive
However, it is important to note that not all plastics are non-conductive. In 2000, Alan MacDiarmid, along with Heeger and Shirakawa, proved that plastics can conduct electricity. They achieved this by adding iodine to the polymer, thereby increasing the conductivity of the plastic. The iodine attracts the electrons in the polymer, making the electric charge carriers more agile and able to flow. This discovery led to the development of various highly stable conductive polymers with comparable electrical conductivity levels to copper. These conductive plastics have wide-ranging applications, such as in LED technology and the production of efficient displays or solar cells.
Despite this advancement, it is worth mentioning that the conductivity of plastics can be affected by factors such as the strength of the electric current and the density of the plastic. For example, if the electric current is too strong, it can burn through the plastic and potentially start a fire. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the limitations and characteristics of plastics when utilizing them in electrical applications.
In conclusion, while plastics are generally non-conductive, advancements have been made to enhance their conductivity for specific applications. However, it is important to carefully consider the limitations and characteristics of plastics to ensure safe and effective use.
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Rubber is a non-conductor
Rubber is a superior insulator due to its elasticity, ability to withstand deformation under stress, durability, and abrasion resistance. It is often the preferred insulator over plastics as it is elastic, resistant to breaking and cracking, and water-repellent, providing an excellent grip on wet surfaces. Rubber is also durable against friction, impact, and tearing.
Rubber's high resistance to electrical flow is due to its molecular structure. The atoms within rubber are arranged in a way that prevents the free flow of electrons. In rubber, the electrons are strongly attracted to their atoms and do not move freely. When a voltage is applied, the electrons in rubber remain bound to their specific atoms, resisting the push to move. This is in contrast to metals, where electrons in the outer shell are not tightly bound to any specific atom, allowing them to move freely from one atom to another, creating a current flow when voltage is applied.
While rubber is a non-conductor, there are exceptions. Conductive rubber can be created by adding specific conductive fillers, such as carbon black or metal powders. This type of rubber has specialized applications where a balance between flexibility and conductivity is needed, such as in EMI/RFI shielding and electronic gaskets. However, even in its natural state, rubber can conduct electricity if a powerful enough voltage is present or if it becomes wet, which can pose a risk to those relying on it for protection.
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Pure water is an insulator
Pure water, such as fully deionized or distilled water, does not contain any impurities or ions. It consists only of neutral molecules, which lack an electric charge. Therefore, there is no medium for charge movement, and pure water is non-conductive.
However, water is rarely pure. Tap water, rainwater, and seawater all contain a variety of impurities, such as sodium, calcium, and magnesium ions. These ions give water its conductive properties, allowing it to conduct electricity. Even carbon dioxide from the air can dissolve in water, reducing its purity and increasing its conductivity.
The presence of impurities and ions in water is why it is dangerous to mix water and electricity. While pure water is safe to swim in with electrical charges, the introduction of impurities, such as the salts on human skin, can quickly turn water into a conductor. This can lead to electric shocks, which can be harmful or even fatal.
Therefore, it is important to understand the conductive properties of water and take precautions to avoid accidents when working with electricity near water.
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Air is a poor conductor
In the case of air, electrons are firmly bound to individual atoms and molecules, and high voltages of around 200 V to 1000 V or higher are required to generate sparks, lightning, or plasmas where free electrons can move within the gas and conduct electricity. This process is known as ionization, where energy is used to generate and maintain free electrons in a gaseous environment. However, even with high voltages, air remains a poor conductor compared to metals.
The conductivity of a substance depends on the concentration of ions and free electrons. Metals, such as silver, copper, gold, and aluminium, are excellent conductors due to their high free-electron concentration. However, air, being a mixture of inert gases, lacks this abundance of free electrons, resulting in poor conductivity.
Inert gases, such as neon, have complete valence shells with no free electrons, making them poor conductors. Similarly, organic molecules in air are often held together by strong covalent bonds, impeding electron movement and hindering electrical conductivity. As a result, air does not facilitate the flow of electrons like metals do, and it takes a significant amount of energy to liberate electrons from atoms and molecules in air.
While air is a poor conductor, it's important to note that it can still influence electrical phenomena. During thunderstorms, for example, the air between the cloud and the ground acts like a capacitor, demonstrating that air can play a role in electrical interactions under specific conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
Non-conductors of electricity, also known as insulators, are materials that do not allow the easy flow of electrons. This is because the atoms in insulators have tightly bound electrons.
Some common non-conductors of electricity include glass, plastic, rubber, dry wood, cotton, and nylon.
Non-conductors of electricity are important because they provide protection from the dangerous effects of electricity. They are used to shield and insulate electrical wires, preventing electric shocks and injuries.
