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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Electrical Conductor and Insulator?

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The main difference between electrical conductors and insulators lies in their ability to allow or resist the flow of electric current through them. Here are the key differences between the two:

  1. Electrical Conductors:
  • Allow electric current to flow easily through them.
  • Electrons in conductors can move about relatively freely, with almost no resistance.
  • Examples of conductors include metals, aqueous solutions of salts, graphite, and the human body.
  1. Electrical Insulators:
  • Do not allow electric current to pass through them.
  • Electrons in insulators cannot move around freely; they are stuck and do not have the right energy levels and bands to move around.
  • Examples of insulators include plastics, Styrofoam, paper, rubber, glass, and dry air.

In summary, conductors are materials that allow the free flow of electrons, making them suitable for carrying electric current, while insulators are materials that resist the flow of electrons, preventing electric current from passing through them.

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  • What is the Difference Between Electrical Conductor and Insulator?
  • Comparative Table: Electrical Conductor vs Insulator

    • Comparative Table: Electrical Conductor vs Insulator

    Here is a table highlighting the differences between electrical conductors and insulators:

    Property Conductors Insulators
    Definition Substances through which electricity can flow are known as conductors. Substances through which electricity cannot flow are known as insulators.
    Examples Metals like copper, silver, etc. are good examples of conductors. Rubber, plastic, and glass are good examples of insulators.
    Resistance Conductors have very low resistance. Insulators have infinitely large resistance.
    Thermal Conductivity Thermal conductivity is very high in conductors. Thermal conductivity is very low in insulators.
    Electric Equipment Conductors are used for making electric equipment. Insulators are used for insulating electric equipment.
    Electric Current Flow Conductors allow electric current to flow through them freely. Insulators prevent any electric current from flowing through them.

    In summary, conductors are materials that allow the flow of electricity, have low resistance, and high thermal conductivity. They are used in the creation of electric equipment. On the other hand, insulators are materials that do not allow the flow of electricity, have high resistance, and low thermal conductivity. They are used for insulating electric equipment.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.