Insulators and conductors are two types of materials that exhibit different electrical properties. The main difference between them lies in their ability to conduct electricity:
Conductors:
Conductors are materials that allow the flow of electric charges (usually electrons) through them with ease.
They have a high density of mobile electrons that are free to move within the material.
When an electric field is applied, these free electrons can move and carry electric current from one point to another.
Common examples of conductors include metals like copper, aluminum, gold, and silver.
Insulators:
Insulators are materials that do not allow the flow of electric charges or have extremely limited conductivity.
They have very few, if any, free electrons available for conducting electricity.
When an electric field is applied, the electrons in an insulator remain bound to their atoms and cannot move freely.
Insulators act as barriers to electric current, preventing its flow through the material.
Examples of insulators include rubber, plastic, glass, ceramic, and dry wood.
In summary, conductors permit the flow of electric charges due to the abundance of free electrons, while insulators hinder the flow of electric charges due to the lack of free electrons available for conducting electricity. This fundamental difference in electrical conductivity is essential for various applications in electrical and electronic systems.