Difference Between Conductors And Insulators

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Last Updated on January 13, 2023 by mdmtool

Conductors and insulators can be found in everyday items. Common electronics, like cell phones and laptops, are made with both conductors and insulators. The metal parts of the device generally act as conductors, while rubber or plastic is used as insulation to protect against electric shock.

Conductors Vs. Insulators

What Are Conductors?

Conductors are materials that allow electricity to flow through them easily. These materials have a large number of free electrons which can easily be moved around by an electric field. This makes it easier for electricity to pass through the material.

What Are Insulators?

Insulators are materials that oppose the flow of electricity. They have a small number of free electrons, which makes it hard for an electric current to pass through them. This is why they’re used to protect people and devices from electrical shock.

Properties Of Conductors:

  • They have free electrons that are easily moved by an electric field
  • They conduct electricity easily
  • They have a high electrical conductivity

Properties Of Insulators:

  • They have few free electrons that are not easily moved by an electric field
  • They oppose the flow of electricity
  • They have a low electrical conductivity

Types Of Conductors:

  1. Metals – The most common type of conductor is metal. Metals like copper, gold, and silver are all excellent conductors of electricity due to the loose arrangement of their electrons.
  2. Semiconductors – These are materials that have a limited ability to conduct electricity and are used in electronic components.
  3.  Superconductors – These materials have a very high conducting ability and are used in applications such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Types Of Insulators:

  1. Rubber – Rubber is a great insulator because it doesn’t conduct electricity well. This is why it’s used to cover electrical wires and protect us from electric shock.
  2. Plastics – Like rubber, plastics are also good insulators because they don’t conduct electricity well.
  3. Ceramics – Ceramics are materials with a high resistance to electricity which makes them great insulators.

Examples Of Conductors And Insulators:

Conductors and insulators can be found everywhere in everyday items.

  • Common examples of conductors are metals such as copper, aluminum, and iron.
  • Examples of insulators are rubber, plastic, and glass.

Conductors are used in electrical wiring to allow electricity to flow from one point to another. Insulators are used to protect people and devices from electric shock.

Application

Applications of conductor:

  1. Electrical wiring.
  2. Circuit boards.
  3. Heating elements.
  4. Antennas.
  5. Motors and generators.
  6. Connectors and switches.

Applications of insulators:

  1. Insulating materials for high-voltage equipment.
  2. Insulation for electrical wires and cables.
  3. Heating and cooling systems.
  4. Protective coverings for electrical equipment.
  5. Heat-resistant materials in ovens and stoves.
  6. Insulating materials in batteries.

Difference Between Conductors And Insulators

PROPERTY Conductors Insulators
Electric Field: When an electric field is applied to a conductor, the electric field causes the electrons inside the material to move. This flow of electrons creates an electrical current. When an electric field is applied to an insulator, the electrons within the material do not move and therefore no electric current is created.
Heat Conduction: Conductors are materials that allow heat to be conducted through them easily. This is because the atoms in conductors vibrate more easily than those in insulators, allowing for heat to be conducted through them quickly. Insulators are materials that do not allow heat to be conducted through them easily as the atoms vibrate much less than those in conductors. This allows for the heat to not be conducted through them as quickly.
Electrical Resistance: Conductors generally have low electrical resistance, meaning that electricity can flow freely through them.  Insulators generally have high electrical resistance, meaning that electricity cannot flow freely through them.
Magnetic Field: Magnetic fields affect conductors more than insulators as the electrons in a conductor are free to move, and therefore can be affected by magnetic fields. Magnetic fields do not affect insulators as much as conductors as the electrons in an insulator are bound to their atoms and are not free to move.
Potential: When an electric field is applied to a conductor, the potential difference between two points on the material will be zero.  When an electric field is applied to an insulator, the potential difference between two points on the material will be greater than zero.
Thermal Conductivity Conductors have high thermal conductivity, meaning that heat can be conducted through them quickly and efficiently. Insulators have low thermal conductivity, meaning that heat cannot be conducted through them quickly or efficiently.
Covalent bond strength: The covalent bonds in conductors are weaker than those in insulators, allowing for electrons to move more freely. The covalent bonds in insulators are stronger than those in conductors, making it difficult for electrons to move freely.
Electrons Per Atom: Conductors have more free electrons per atom than insulators, making it easier for an electric current to flow.  Insulators typically have fewer free electrons per atom than conductors, making it more difficult for an electric current to flow.
Temperature coefficient: The temperature coefficient of a conductor is usually negative, meaning that electrical resistance decreases as the temperature increases. The temperature coefficient of an insulator is usually positive, meaning that electrical resistance increases as the temperature increases.
Conduction band: Conductors have wide conduction bands, meaning that electrons are free to move throughout the material. Insulators have narrow conduction bands, meaning that electrons are not free to move throughout the material.
Dielectric Constant: The dielectric constant of a conductor is usually low, meaning that it has a low capacitance. The dielectric constant of an insulator is usually high, meaning that it has a higher capacitance than a conductor.
Electromagnetic wave reflection: Conductors tend to reflect electromagnetic waves more than insulators. Insulators tend to absorb or transmit electromagnetic waves more than conductors.
Valence Band: Conductors have wide valence bands, allowing for electrons to move freely between the atoms in a material. Insulators have narrow valence bands, meaning that electrons are not able to move freely between the atoms in a material.
Breakdown Voltage: Conductors have low breakdown voltages, meaning they can withstand lower electrical voltages than insulators before they stop functioning. Insulators have high breakdown voltages, meaning they can withstand higher electrical voltages than conductors before they stop functioning.
Forbidden gap: Conductors have a small forbidden gap, meaning they can absorb energy at lower frequencies than insulators can. Insulators have a wide forbidden gap, meaning they cannot absorb energy at the same low frequencies that conductors can.
Number of electrons in outermost shell: Conductors typically have fewer electrons in their outermost shell than insulators, allowing them to be more easily ionized. Insulators typically have more electrons in their outermost shell than conductors, making them less likely to be ionized.
Electron Affinity: The electron affinity of a conductor is usually low, meaning that it does not attract electrons easily. The electron affinity of an insulator is usually high, meaning that it attracts electrons more readily than conductors do.
Temperature coefficient: The temperature coefficient of a conductor is usually negative, meaning that electrical resistance decreases as the temperature increases. The temperature coefficient of an insulator is usually positive, meaning that electrical resistance increases as the temperature increases.
Distribution of Charge via Electron Movement: In conductors, the charge is distributed via electron movement from atom to atom. In insulators, the charge is distributed by electron sharing between atoms, without actual movement of electrons.
See Also:  Difference Between Capacitor And Battery

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does An Insulator Do?

An insulator is a material that does not conduct electric current or heat. It is used to protect against electrical shock and to prevent the loss of energy due to heat transfer.

What Conducts Electricity The Best?

Metals are the best conductors of electricity because they have loosely held electrons that can move easily throughout the material, allowing electric current to flow. Examples of metals that are good electrical conductors include copper, silver, and gold.

Is Aluminum Foil A Conductor Or Insulator?

Aluminum foil is an insulator since it does not allow an electric current to pass through it easily. However, thin layers of aluminum foil can act as a conductor when used in combination with other conductive materials.

Is Plastic A Conductor Or Insulator?

Plastic is an insulator because it does not allow an electric current to pass through it easily. However, some types of plastic can be made conductive by adding other materials, such as carbon or metal particles.

Which Of The Following Is The Most Conductive Element?

1) Copper 2) Iron 3) Silicon 4) Silver:

The answer is Silver. Silver is the most conductive element among copper, iron, and silicon due to its low electrical resistance. It is commonly used in high-powered electronics such as power grids and telecommunication systems.

Why Are Metals A Preferred Choice Of Material For Making Electrical Wires?

Metals are the most common choice for making electrical wires because they are good conductors of electricity. They have a low electrical resistance, which means that it is easier to pass an electric current through them. Metals such as copper and aluminum are usually used in wiring because of their highly conductive properties.

See Also:  Difference Between Generator And Alternator

What Is The Purpose Of Lightning Rods?

Lightning rods are safety devices used to protect a structure from lightning strikes by diverting the electrical current into the ground. The rod is usually connected to a conductive wire or cable, which allows the electric current to travel safely away from the building and into the earth. This helps reduce or eliminate damage caused by lightning strikes.

Which Are The Factors That Affect The Resistivity Of A Conductor?

The resistivity of a conductor is affected by several factors, including temperature, material composition, and the length and shape of the conductor. The higher the temperature, the more likely it is for electrons to move in a circuit. Also, different materials will have varying levels of electrical resistance depending on their chemical makeup.

Are Human Conductors Or Insulators?

Humans are conductors of electricity. Our bodies have a natural electrical current running through them, which makes us good conductors for electric currents. However, the resistance of our skin means that it is difficult for high voltages to pass through it without causing harm. Therefore, it is important to always take safety precautions when dealing with any kind of electric current.

Why Zamzam Water Is Insulator And Simple Water Is Not?

Zamzam water is an insulator because it contains large amounts of minerals, including calcium and magnesium. These minerals give the water a higher resistance to electric currents than regular tap water, which is why it is not recommended to use Zamzam water in electrical circuits. Tap water has a lower mineral content and is typically a better conductor of electricity.

Why We Used Insulator?

Insulators are also used to protect people and devices from electric shock. The rubber casing of an extension cord is a perfect example of insulation in action. This is why you can safely touch the metal parts of a laptop or cell phone without getting shocked.

Conclusion:

Conductors and insulators are materials that influence the flow of electrical current. Metals such as copper, silver, aluminum and gold are good conductors while plastics and rubber are good insulators. Understanding the differences between conductors and insulators is important for safely using electricity in everyday life.

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