Molly Ayala
Conductivity is the property of a material that allows electricity to flow through it. Materials are classified as conductors, insulators, or superconductors based on their conductivity. Materials with high electron mobility are known as conductors, while those with low electron mobility are referred to as insulators or bad conductors. Materials that can easily conduct electricity or allow electricity to pass through them are known as good conductors, while those that don't are known as bad conductors. Metals, for example, are good conductors of electricity, whereas insulators like rubber, glass, plastic, and wood are bad conductors.
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What You'll Learn
Insulators
Materials like glass, plastic, rubber, air, and wood are used as insulators. Glass and plastic are examples of insulators because they are poor electrical conductors. The plastic covering on cables allows us to handle them safely. Similarly, copper wires are often covered with rubber, which is a poor conductor of electricity, to prevent anyone from getting an electric shock when they come in contact with the wire.
Covalent compounds, such as oxygen and nitrogen, are also bad conductors of electricity. These compounds are made up of molecules that share valence electrons, resulting in no free electrons to conduct electricity. Dielectrics, a type of insulating material, have a polarising effect when placed in an electric circuit, causing positive and negative charges to move in opposite directions.
It is important to note that even materials not typically considered good conductors, like our bodies, can become conductive when the voltage is high enough. Therefore, we must protect ourselves from electrical conductors that can cause shocks, burns, and impairment to our heart function.
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Poor conductivity
Materials like glass, plastic, rubber, air, and wood are commonly used as insulators. For example, the rubber coating on electrical wires acts as an insulator, preventing electric shocks by impeding the flow of electricity to the person holding the wire. Similarly, the plastic covering on cables allows for safe handling by inhibiting the conduction of electricity.
Covalent compounds, such as oxygen and nitrogen, are also poor conductors of electricity. In these compounds, atoms share electrons, leaving no free electrons to facilitate the conduction of electricity. High temperatures can further impede the conductivity of materials, even those typically considered good conductors.
The distinction between conductors and insulators is based on their electron mobility. Conductors, such as metals, exhibit high electron mobility, enabling a straightforward flow of electrons and making them efficient at conducting electricity. On the other hand, insulators have low electron mobility due to the tightly bound electrons in their atomic structure, resulting in poor conductivity.
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Covalent compounds
The primary reason for their poor electrical conductivity is the lack of free electrons or ions in these compounds. Atoms in covalent compounds have tightly bound electrons, which prevent the flow of electric current. Even when dissolved in water or melted, these compounds do not release ions that can carry an electrical charge. This is why substances like sugar or oil, which are covalent compounds, do not conduct electricity.
However, it is important to note that polar covalent compounds are good conductors of electricity.
Materials with high electron mobility are known as conductors, while those with low electron mobility are referred to as insulators or bad conductors. Insulators do not allow electricity to pass through them easily or at all. Examples of insulators include glass, plastic, rubber, air, and wood.
Conductors, on the other hand, allow electricity to flow through them easily due to their relatively simple electron flow. Metals are classic examples of good conductors, and copper or aluminium are commonly used in electrical wiring.
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Metals as good conductors
Materials that allow electricity to pass through them easily are known as good conductors. Metals are considered good conductors of electricity.
Metals are good conductors of electricity because they have very good "jumping chairs" for electrons. In other words, metals have a high number of movable atoms or free electrons. These free electrons are called valence electrons, which are located in the valence shell of an atom. The valence shell is the outermost shell of electrons surrounding an atom. The presence of valence electrons determines a metal's conductivity.
Valence electrons move through metals with little resistance, allowing metals to conduct electric current. These free electrons move through metal like billiard balls, transferring energy as they knock into each other. Silver and copper are examples of metals with single, free-moving valence electrons. The valence electrons in these metals move with little resistance, making them highly conductive.
Other metals that are good conductors of electricity include gold, zinc, nickel, and stainless steel. Gold is a good electrical conductor and doesn't tarnish when exposed to air, but it is too expensive for common use. Zinc is a moderately good conductor and is malleable at 100°C. Nickel has high electrical conductivity, and stainless steel is a relatively good conductor. Copper is also a commonly used and effective electrical conductor, especially in household appliances.
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Voltage levels
Bad conductors of electricity, also known as insulators, are materials that do not allow electricity to pass through them easily. They have atoms with tightly bound electrons that do not move freely, inhibiting the flow of electric current. Materials like rubber, wood, glass, plastic, cloth, polythene, and air are used as insulators to prevent electricity from passing into areas of our bodies where it is unsafe or unnecessary.
The voltage level of a bad conductor refers to the amount of electrical potential or electromotive force that exists within the material. Voltage is measured in volts, and it represents the energy available per unit of electric charge. In the context of bad conductors, voltage levels play a crucial role in determining the behaviour of electricity within these materials.
Bad conductors typically have low voltage levels, which means that there is less electrical potential within the material. This low voltage results in a weaker electric field and a reduced ability to transmit electric current. The electrons in the atoms of bad conductors are tightly bound and do not move freely, contributing to the low voltage levels within the material.
While bad conductors generally have low voltage levels, it is important to note that voltage can vary within these materials. In some cases, electrical circuits with bad conductors can experience dangerously high voltage levels. This can occur due to various factors, such as the specific material properties, the presence of impurities, or external influences like temperature changes.
Additionally, even materials that are typically considered bad conductors can exhibit unusual behaviour at extremely high voltage levels. When the voltage is sufficiently high, these materials can become temporarily conductive. This phenomenon is attributed to the increased energy available to dislodge tightly bound electrons, allowing them to move more freely and facilitating the flow of electric current. However, this does not change the inherent nature of the material as a bad conductor under typical conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
Bad conductors of electricity, also known as insulators, are materials that do not allow electricity to easily pass through them. Atoms in such materials have tightly bound electrons, which prevent the flow of electric current. Examples of bad conductors include wood, rubber, glass, sand, plastic, cloth, polythene, and air.
Understanding bad conductors of electricity is essential for electrical safety. Insulators shield us from the harmful effects of electricity passing through conductors. For example, the rubbery layer on wires acts as an insulator to prevent electric shocks.
Good conductors of electricity, or conductors, are materials that allow electricity to flow through them easily. Metals are classic examples of good conductors, which is why you should never plug a metal object into an electric socket. Other examples of good conductors include copper, aluminium, and tap water.
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