Discover the basics of what conducts electricity with our comprehensive guide. Learn about conductors, insulators, and semi-conductors.
Electricity is an essential part of modern life, powering everything from our homes to our workplaces. But have you ever wondered what conducts electricity? Understanding the basics of conductors, insulators, and semi-conductors is crucial to understanding how electricity works.
Conductors: The Basics
Plastic casing on a power cord for a computer
A conductor is a material that allows electric current to flow through it with ease. Metals such as copper, silver, and gold are excellent conductors of electricity, which is why they are commonly used in electrical wiring. Other materials, such as water and graphite, can also conduct electricity.
The reason why conductors can conduct electricity is due to the movement of electrons within the material. Electrons are negatively charged particles that are found in the outer shells of atoms. In conductors, the outer electrons are loosely bound and can move freely through the material. When a voltage is applied to the conductor, the electrons flow through the material, creating an electric current.
Insulators: The Opposite of Conductors
Silicon wafer used in the manufacturing of computer chips
In contrast to conductors, insulators are materials that do not allow electric current to flow through them easily. Examples of insulators include rubber, glass, and plastic. Insulators are used to protect people and equipment from electric shocks and to prevent electrical interference.
The reason why insulators do not conduct electricity is due to the tight binding of electrons within the material. In insulators, the outer electrons are tightly bound to their respective atoms, making it difficult for them to move through the material. When a voltage is applied to an insulator, the electrons are unable to flow, and no electric current is created.
Understanding the basics of conductors and insulators is the foundation of understanding how electricity works. The next section will explore semi-conductors, which have properties of both conductors and insulators.
Insulators: The Non-Conductors
Insulators are materials that prevent the flow of electric current through them. In addition to the materials mentioned in the previous section, other examples of insulators include ceramic, air, and paper. Insulators are commonly used in electrical wiring to prevent electrical shocks and to protect electrical equipment from damage.
The reason why insulators do not conduct electricity is that they have a high resistance to the flow of electrons. In insulators, the electrons are tightly bound to their respective atoms and do not move freely. Therefore, when a voltage is applied to an insulator, the electrons do not flow through the material, and no electric current is created.
Semi-conductors: The In-Betweeners
Semi-conductors are materials that have properties of both conductors and insulators. Examples of semi-conductors include silicon, germanium, and gallium arsenide. Semi-conductors are commonly used in electronic devices such as transistors, diodes, and solar cells.
The reason why semi-conductors have properties of both conductors and insulators is that they have a moderate resistance to the flow of electrons. In semi-conductors, the outer electrons of some atoms are loosely bound and can move freely, while the outer electrons of other atoms are tightly bound and cannot move freely. Therefore, when a voltage is applied to a semi-conductor, the flow of electrons can be controlled, allowing for the creation of electric current.
In conclusion, understanding what conducts electricity is essential to understanding how electricity works. Conductors allow electric current to flow freely through them, while insulators prevent the flow of electric current. Semi-conductors have properties of both conductors and insulators, making them useful in electronic devices. By understanding the properties of conductors, insulators, and semi-conductors, we can design and build the electrical systems that power our world.
Factors that Affect Conductivity
While conductors and insulators have distinct properties, the conductivity of a material can be affected by several factors. These factors include:
Temperature
Temperature plays a significant role in the conductivity of materials. In general, the conductivity of metals decreases as temperature increases. This is because the increased temperature causes atoms to vibrate more, which makes it more difficult for electrons to move through the material. In contrast, the conductivity of semi-conductors increases with temperature, as the increased temperature frees up more electrons to move through the material.
Material Properties
The properties of a material can also affect its conductivity. For example, the purity of a metal can affect its conductivity, with purer metals being better conductors. The crystal structure of a material can also affect its conductivity, as materials with a more orderly crystal structure are better conductors.
Electric Field Strength
The strength of an electric field can also affect the conductivity of a material. In general, a stronger electric field will cause more electrons to move through a material, resulting in higher conductivity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding what conducts electricity is crucial for anyone who uses or works with electrical devices. Conductors, insulators, and semi-conductors all play important roles in the functioning of electrical devices, and the conductivity of materials can be affected by factors such as temperature, material properties, and electric field strength.
By understanding the properties of different materials and the factors that affect conductivity, we can create more efficient and effective electrical devices. At Reviews AZ, we believe that knowledge is power, and we hope that this article has helped you gain a better understanding of what conducts electricity.
