Molly Ayala
Materials that allow electricity to flow through them are called conductors. Conductors are materials that contain free electrons, which are loosely bound to their atoms and can move freely when an electrical voltage is applied. Metals are the most common conductors, with copper being widely used in electrical wiring due to its excellent conductivity and low cost. Other examples of conductors include silver, aluminium, and gold. In contrast, insulators are materials that do not allow electricity to flow freely due to their tightly bound electrons. Examples of insulators include rubber, glass, plastic, and wood.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Conductors |
| Other Names | Metals |
| Examples | Copper, Silver, Aluminum, Gold, Salty water |
| Properties | Materials with free electrons, where electrons are not tightly bound and can move freely when an electrical voltage is applied |
| Name | Insulators |
| Other Names | Non-metals |
| Examples | Rubber, Glass, Plastic, Wood |
| Properties | Materials with tightly bound electrons, making it difficult for electrical current to pass through |
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What You'll Learn
Metals like copper, silver and aluminium
Metals are excellent conductors of electricity due to their unique physical structure. Their atoms are surrounded by a large, constantly moving body of electrons that are not linked to specific atoms. These delocalized electrons, also known as free or conduction electrons, can easily move through the metal lattice, conducting electricity. The best conductors of electricity are metals with the most free electrons, and silver has the highest number of these. Thus, silver is the best conductor of electricity, followed by copper and gold.
Silver has a unique crystal structure that allows electrons to move more freely than in other materials. Its single valence electron can move freely and with little resistance throughout the metal, making it a very efficient conductor of electricity. Silver is used in a range of applications, including coating telecom conductors. However, it can be cost-prohibitive for certain uses.
Copper is another excellent conductor of electricity and is widely used due to its high conductivity and affordability. It is commonly used in electrical wiring and equipment applications, as well as in the plumbing industry. Copper is also durable and can endure harsh conditions without affecting its integrity or strength.
Aluminium is also a good conductor of electricity and is known for its versatility and value. It is lightweight, easily shaped, and has excellent electrical conductivity, making it ideal for electrical applications such as wiring and cables. Aluminium is used in long-distance power lines, high-voltage electrical transmission, and the construction of electrical motors and generators. Its ability to conduct electricity efficiently also makes it useful in aviation and the creation of light but strong aircraft parts.
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Non-metals like rubber, glass and plastic
Materials can be classified based on their ability to conduct electricity. Materials that allow electric charges to flow easily are known as conductors, while those that do not are called insulators. Metals such as copper and aluminium are typically good conductors of electricity due to their loosely bound electrons, which enable them to move freely. On the other hand, non-metallic materials like rubber, glass, and plastic are insulators. These materials have tightly bound electrons, preventing the flow of electricity.
Rubber, for instance, is an effective insulator. It is often used as an outer covering for electrical wires to ensure safety and prevent electrical shocks. Similarly, glass is an insulator that resists the flow of electricity due to its tightly bound electrons. Glass is not commonly used in electrical wiring, but its insulating properties make it suitable for specific applications where electrical conductivity needs to be avoided.
Plastic is another non-metal that is a poor conductor of electricity. It is commonly used as electrical insulation due to its high resistance to electric current. The electrons in plastic are tightly bound to their atoms, hindering the movement of electric charges. This property makes plastic an essential material for electrical safety, as it prevents unintended electrical conduction.
While most non-metallic materials are insulators, there are exceptions like graphite, which is a non-metal that can conduct electricity. Graphite, found in pencil lead, has conductive properties, although its resistance is higher than that of metals. This unique characteristic of graphite allows it to complete an electrical circuit, albeit with reduced brightness in devices like flashlights.
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Liquids like saltwater
Liquids, like solids, can conduct electricity. Liquids that conduct electricity are called electrolytes. These include solutions of acids, bases, and salts in water. For example, sulphuric acid solution, hydrochloric acid solution, sodium hydroxide solution, and common salt solution are all electrolytes. Even liquids like vinegar (acetic acid), lemon juice (citric acid solution), and tap water are electrolytes.
Pure water, however, conducts electricity poorly. It is only when water contains dissolved salts and minerals that it conducts electricity well. When salts are dissolved in water, they separate into electrically charged particles called ions. For example, salt, or sodium chloride (NaCl), separates into positive Na ions and negative Cl ions.
To test the conductivity of a liquid, a tester is used. If the bulb of the tester glows brightly, the liquid is a good conductor of electricity. If the bulb glows dimly, the liquid is a poor conductor.
When electrodes are submerged in water and a current is transmitted through the water, bubbles of oxygen and hydrogen emerge, as proven by British scientist William Nicholson. He observed that hydrogen bubbles developed at the electrode attached to the negative terminal, and oxygen bubbles developed at the electrode attached to the positive terminal.
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Electrons and conductivity
Materials that allow electricity to flow through them are called conductors. Metals are the most common conductors, with copper, silver, aluminium, and gold being some examples. The electrons in these materials are loosely bound to their atoms, allowing them to move freely when influenced by an electrical voltage. This free movement of electrons is what enables electrical current to flow. Copper, for instance, is widely used in electrical wiring due to its excellent conductivity and relatively low cost. Silver, on the other hand, has the highest electrical conductivity among all metals but is not practical for large-scale applications due to its high cost. Aluminium is often the metal of choice for overhead power lines because of its lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties. Gold, known for its resistance to corrosion, is primarily reserved for specialised connections to ensure reliable long-term performance.
In contrast, insulators are materials that hinder the flow of electricity. Examples of insulators include rubber, glass, plastic, and wood. The electrons in these materials are tightly bound to their atoms, making it challenging for electrical current to pass through. Insulators play a critical role in electrical safety by preventing unwanted electrical conduction. For instance, the coating of electrical wires with insulating materials like rubber or plastic ensures that electricity remains contained within the wire, reducing the risk of electric shocks.
The ability of a material to conduct electricity depends on the ease of movement of electrons within its structure. In conductors, the electrons are loosely bound and can be influenced to move in a coordinated manner, creating a uniform flow of electrons known as electric current. This movement can be likened to the flow of water through a pipe. Despite the solid appearance of a conductor, the vast majority of its internal structure comprises empty space, allowing electrons ample room to move.
It is important to note that not all conductors are metallic. Some liquids, such as salty water, can also conduct electricity. The presence of dissolved salts in salty water enables the movement of ions, facilitating electrical conduction. This principle extends to other materials with free-moving electrons, reinforcing the fundamental role of electron behaviour in understanding electrical conductivity.
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Closed circuits
A closed circuit is a continuous, unbroken path that allows electricity to flow through it. This is distinct from an open circuit, where the path is interrupted and electricity cannot flow. Metals are the most common materials used to create closed circuits due to their excellent conductivity. Common metals used include copper, silver, aluminium, and gold. These metals have loosely bound electrons that can move freely when an electrical voltage is applied, enabling the flow of electrical current.
Copper, for example, is widely used in electrical wiring due to its excellent conductivity and relatively low cost. Silver has the highest electrical conductivity of all metals, but its high cost makes it impractical for large-scale use. Aluminium is often used in overhead power lines due to its light weight and resistance to corrosion. Gold is primarily used for specialised connections as it resists corrosion, ensuring a reliable connection over time.
In addition to metals, some liquids can also be used as conductors in closed circuits. For example, salty water conducts electricity due to the presence of dissolved salts, which allow ions to move and enable electrical conduction.
It is important to note that not all materials are suitable for closed circuits. Insulators, such as rubber, glass, plastic, and wood, do not allow electricity to flow freely. This is because they have tightly bound electrons, which restrict the flow of electrical current. Insulators are essential for safety, as they prevent unwanted electrical conduction. For example, the prongs on a plug and the wires inside a cord are made of metal but are surrounded by plastic or rubber insulation to prevent electrical shocks.
To summarise, closed circuits require materials that allow electricity to flow through them easily, such as metals and certain liquids, which have free-moving electrons. Insulators, on the other hand, restrict the flow of electricity and are used to prevent unintended electrical conduction. Understanding the properties of conductors and insulators is crucial for designing functional and safe electrical systems.
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Frequently asked questions
Conductors are materials that allow electricity to flow through them easily. They contain free electrons, which are loosely bound to their atoms and can move freely when influenced by an electrical voltage. Common examples of conductors include metals like copper, silver, and aluminum.
Insulators are materials that do not allow electricity to flow through them easily. They are characterized by tightly bound electrons, which restricts the flow of electricity. Examples of insulators include rubber, glass, plastic, and wood.
Conductors, particularly metals like copper, are widely used in electrical wiring due to their excellent conductivity. They enable the easy flow of electricity from a power source to the desired application.
Insulators play a crucial role in electrical safety by preventing unwanted electrical conduction. For example, the prongs on a plug and the wires inside a cord are made of conductive metals. Insulating materials like rubber or plastic are used to coat these conductors, ensuring that electricity flows only where intended and preventing electrical shocks.
You can test whether an object is a conductor or an insulator by touching it with both ends of a wire connected to a power source. If the object is a conductor, it will create a closed circuit, and electricity will flow, often indicated by a bulb lighting up. If it's an insulator, the circuit remains open, and no electricity will pass through.
