Conductors and Insulators – Class 12 | Chapter – 1 | Physics Short Notes Series PDF for NEET & JEE

Conductors and Insulators: Conductors and insulators are two types of materials that behave differently with respect to the flow of electric charge. Conductors are materials that allow electric charges to flow through them with ease. Metals such as copper, aluminum, and gold are good conductors of electricity. They have a large number of free electrons that are not tightly bound to individual atoms and can move freely through the material, allowing electric charge to flow.

Insulators are materials that do not allow electric charges to flow through them easily. Examples of insulators include rubber, plastic, and glass. These materials have few free electrons and their electrons are tightly bound to individual atoms, making it difficult for electric charge to flow through the material.

The behavior of conductors and insulators is important in a variety of applications, including electrical wiring, electronic devices, and electrical insulation. Understanding the properties of conductors and insulators allows engineers to design electrical systems that are safe, efficient, and reliable.

What are Conductors?

Conductors are materials that allow electric charges to flow through them with ease. Conductors have a large number of free electrons that are not tightly bound to individual atoms and can move freely through the material, allowing electric charge to flow. This makes conductors useful for carrying electric current in electrical wiring and electronic devices.

Examples of conductor

Examples of good conductors include metals such as copper, aluminum, and gold. These materials have a high electrical conductivity, which means that they allow electric charges to flow through them easily. In addition to metals, some other materials, such as electrolytes, can also act as conductors under certain conditions.

What Are Insulators?

Insulators are materials that do not allow electric charges to flow through them easily. They have few free electrons and their electrons are tightly bound to individual atoms, making it difficult for electric charge to flow through the material. This makes insulators useful for preventing unwanted electric currents and protecting people and equipment from electrical hazards.

Insulators play an important role in a variety of applications, including electrical wiring, electronic devices, and electrical safety. They are used to isolate electrically charged components from each other and from the ground, preventing electrical shorts and reducing the risk of electrical shock. Insulators are also used to protect people and equipment from electrical hazards, such as high voltage electrical lines and electrical appliances.

Examples of insulators

Examples of insulators include rubber, plastic, glass, air, and most ceramics. These materials have a low electrical conductivity, which means that they do not allow electric charges to flow through them easily.

Differences between Conductors and Insulators

Conductor
Insulator
  • Materials that permit electricity or heat to pass through it.
  • Materials that do not permit heat and electricity to pass through it.
  • A few examples of a conductor are silver, aluminium, and iron.
  • A few examples of an insulator are paper, wood, and rubber.
  • Electrons move freely within the conductor.
  • Electrons do not move freely within the insulator.
  • The electric field exists on the surface but remains zero on the inside.
  • The electric field doesn’t exist.

 


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By Team Learning Mantras