CONDUCTORS AND INSULATORS
CONDUCTORS AND INSULATORS The ability to conduct electricity is the major simple distinction between elements that are metals and non-metals. Electrical Conductors A conductor is a material that conducts electricity but is not chemically changed in the process. They carry an electric current through freely moving electrons when a potential difference is applied across them. They include: All metals (molten or solid) and the non-metal carbon (graphite). This conduction involves the movement of free or delocalized electrons (e- charged particles) and does not involve any chemical change. Any molten or dissolved material in which the liquid contains free moving ions is called the electrolyte. Ions are charged particles eg Na+ sodium ion, or Cl- chloride ion, and their movement or flow constitutes an electric current, because a current is moving charged particles. All metals and graphite are conductors of electricity. Insulators An insulator is a material that does… Read More »CONDUCTORS AND INSULATORS