Conductors and Insulators
Conductors let charge flow; insulators resist it.
About this topic
Conductors, such as metals, have free electrons that move easily and carry current; insulators, like rubber, glass and plastic, hold electrons tightly. Semiconductors like silicon lie between and can be controlled, forming the basis of electronics.
Copper is used for wires and plastic for coating them, so you can safely touch a live cable. Salt water and graphite also conduct, which is why water near electrical equipment is dangerous. Doping silicon with small amounts of other atoms changes its conductivity, allowing transistors to act as switches that make computers possible.
Resistance depends on temperature: metals resist more when hot, while semiconductors resist less, and superconductors lose all resistance at very low temperatures. Superconducting magnets in MRI scanners carry huge currents with no heating.
No material is a perfect insulator; with a high enough voltage even air breaks down, as lightning shows. The labels describe how easily charge moves, not an absolute yes or no.
Key ideas
- Metals conduct
- Plastics and glass insulate
- Semiconductors are in between
Quick check
Use cases: where Conductors and Insulators helps
- Homework: review the key idea behind Conductors and Insulators before you start a problem set.
- Exam revision: use the quick check to test whether you can recall Conductors and Insulators without notes.
- Visual learning: play with the interactive lab to see how Conductors and Insulators changes when you adjust its inputs.
- Teaching a friend: explain Conductors and Insulators in your own words, then compare your version with the key ideas.
The same laws describe car crashes, sports, satellites and everyday machines.
Frequently asked questions
What is Conductors and Insulators?
Conductors let charge flow; insulators resist it.
What will I learn in Conductors and Insulators?
Metals conduct. Plastics and glass insulate. Semiconductors are in between.
Is Conductors and Insulators part of Physics?
Yes. It is one of 150 Physics topics on LearnViz HighSchoolEdu, with 3 key ideas, a live animation and a quick check.
Does the Conductors and Insulators lab work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The animation resizes to fit your screen and supports touch, so you can drag, tap and slide with your finger.
How should I study Conductors and Insulators?
Read the summary and key ideas first, play with the interactive lab to see the idea in motion, then answer the quick check. If you get a question wrong, go back to the key idea it tests.
Do I need an account, and is my progress saved?
No account is needed. Marking a topic as learned is saved in your own browser, so it stays on that device and is not sent to a server.