Question

Write a short note about the importance of conductors and insulators.

Answer 1

Answer:

What are Conductors?

Conductors are the materials or substances which allow electricity to flow through them. They conduct electricity because they allow electrons to flow easily inside them from atom to atom. Also, conductors allow the transmission of heat or light from one source to another.

Metals, humans, earth, and animals are all conductors. This is the reason we get electric shocks! Moreover, the human body is a good conductor. So it provides a resistance-free path for the current to flow from wire to body.

Conductors have free electrons on its surface which allow current to pass through easily. This is the reason why conductors are able to conduct electricity.

Examples of Conductors

Material such as silver is the best conductor of electricity. But, it is costly and so, we don’t use silver in industries and transmission of electricity.

Copper, Brass, Steel, Gold, and Aluminium are good conductors of electricity. We use them in electric circuits and systems in the form of wires.

Mercury is an excellent liquid conductor. Thus, this material finds use in many instruments.

Gases are not good conductors of electricity because the atoms are quite far away. Thus, they are unable to conduct electrons.

Insulators

Insulators are the materials or substances which resist or don’t allow the current to flow through them. In general, they are solid in nature. Also, insulators are finding use in a variety of systems. As they do not allow the flow of heat. The property which makes insulators different from conductors is its resistivity.

Wood, cloth, glass, mica, and quartz are some good examples of insulators. Also, insulators are protectors. They give protection against heat, sound and of course passage of electricity. Furthermore, insulators don’t have any free electrons. It is the main reason why they don’t conduct electricity.

Examples of Insulators

Glass is the best insulator as it has the highest resistivity.

Plastic is a good insulator and it finds its use in making a number of things.

Rubber is a common material used in making tyres, fire-resistant clothes and slippers. This is because it is a very good insulator.