Do Liquids Conduct Electricity

Introduction

The materials which allow an electric current to pass through them are Good Conductors of electricity, on the other hand, which do not allow an electric current to pass through them easily are Poor Conductors of Electricity.

Insulator

Substances that do not allow an electric current to pass through them are called insulators; such as plastic, rubber, etc.

Interactive

 

Tester
It is a device to test if a particular material allows electric current to pass through it or not.

Materials, which allow an electric current to pass through them, are good conductors of electricity.

Interactive

 

Metals such as copper and aluminum conduct electricity whereas materials such as rubber, plastic and wood do not conduct electricity.

Examples of Good Conductor and Poor Conductor

Conductors and Insulators

Conductors and Insulators of Electricity
  • A conductor is any material or substance that allows electricity to flow through it.
  • An insulator is any substance or material that prevents the flow of electricity through it.
  • Any substance can be called a conductor of electricity if it allows the movement of charges through it.
  • The electrons of the conductors can flow freely (they are delocalized) and hence can take electric current through them.
  • Insulators do not allow the flow of charges through them because their electrons are tightly packed with their particles.
 Delocalized Electrons in a Conductor
  • Some materials can allow a little flow of electricity through them and are called poor conductors of electricity.
  • Some materials can allow the complete flow of electricity through them and are called good conductors of electricity.
  • Every material may conduct electricity in certain situations. For example, the air is a bad conductor of electricity but in the case of thunderstorms and lightning, it carries electric charges through it. Hence, materials are always classified as good and poor conductors of electricity rather than conductors and insulators.