Conductors and Insulators

Front

Electric Current Noun

---

[i-lek-trik kur-uhnt]

Back

Electric Current

---

A flow of electric charge, typically carried by moving electrons, which requires a medium to travel through.

---

Example: This diagram shows a simple circuit where a battery pushes charged particles through a wire (an electrical conductor), creating a flow called electric current.

Front

Resistance Noun

---

[ri-zis-tuhns]

Back

Resistance

---

The property of a material that opposes or resists the flow of electric current through it.

Front

Electrical Conductor Noun

---

[i-lek-tri-kuhl kuhn-duhk-ter]

Back

Electrical Conductor

---

A material in which electric charges can move easily, characterized by having low resistance to electric current.

---

Example: This image shows that in an electrical conductor, free electrons move randomly until a voltage is applied, causing them to flow in one direction.

Front

Electrical Insulator Noun

---

[i-lek-tri-kuhl in-suh-ley-ter]

Back

Electrical Insulator

---

A material in which electric charges cannot move easily, characterized by having high resistance to electric current.

Front

Electron Noun

---

[i-lek-tron]

Back

Electron

---

A stable subatomic particle with a negative charge whose movement in a material constitutes an electric current.

---

Example: This diagram shows a Sodium atom, a metal. The single electron in the outermost shell is a valence electron, which can move freely, making Sodium a good conductor.

Front

Copper Noun

---

[kop-er]

Back

Copper

---

A highly conductive metallic element commonly used in electrical wiring due to its low resistance and efficiency.

Front

Rubber Noun

---

[ruhb-er]

Back

Rubber

---

A natural or synthetic polymer with high electrical resistance, making it an excellent insulator for coating wires.

Front

Aluminum Noun

---

[uh-loo-muh-nuhm]

Back

Aluminum

---

A lightweight, conductive metallic element often used for long-distance power transmission lines due to its properties.

Front

Graphite Noun

---

[graf-ahyt]

Back

Graphite

---

A crystalline form of the element carbon that is a good non-metallic conductor of electricity.

Front

Lightning Rod Noun

---

[lahyt-ning rod]

Back

Lightning Rod

---

A metal rod mounted on a structure to protect it from a lightning strike by safely conducting electricity to the ground.