Heat Conductors vs Insulators

​Conductors & Insulators






By: Feri Vahabi

​Introduction
Materials that conduct heat or electricity are known as conductors. Materials that do not conduct heat or electricity are known as insulators. Insulators and conductors have many useful functions.

​Thermal Conductors
Materials that allow heat to pass through them easily are called thermal conductors. Metals, such as aluminum, copper, steel, and iron, are all good thermal conductors. Thermal conductors can be useful when it is necessary to cool things down, or heat them up, quickly. A metal saucepan, for example, allows heat to transfer quickly to the food inside it.

Multiple Choice

1. What are materials that allow heat to pass through them easily called?

• Thermal insulators

• Thermal conductors

• Thermal resistors

• Thermal semiconductors

​Electrical Conductors

Materials that allow electricity to pass through them easily are called electrical conductors. Examples of these materials include many metals, such as iron, steel, copper, and aluminum.

Electrical objects use metal parts to conduct electricity, such as the copper wires inside electrical leads, the metal pins in plugs, and the metal wire filaments in lightbulbs.

​Electrical Conductors- Continued

In a simple electrical circuit, copper wire is used to carry electricity from the energy source (such as a battery) to an electrical component (such as a lamp, motor, or bell).

Carbon is an electrical conductor, even though it is not a metal. Water also conducts electricity, which is why electrical objects should not be used near water.

Multiple Choice

1. What are materials that allow electricity to pass through them easily called?

• Insulators

• Conductors

• Semiconductors

• Resistors

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following is an example of an electrical conductor?

• Plastic

• Wood

• Copper

• Glass

Multiple Choice

1. Which metal is commonly used in electrical wires to carry electricity?

• Aluminum

• Iron

• Copper

• Steel

Multiple Choice

1. Why should electrical objects not be used near water?

• Water can cause them to rust

• Water can damage the electrical components

• Water is an insulator

• Water can conduct electricity

​Electrical Insulators

Materials that do not allow electricity to pass through them are called electrical insulators. Examples of these materials include plastic, rubber, wood, and glass. Air is also an insulator.

Most electrical objects are made using insulators to keep them safe. Plugs, for example, have plastic cases. Electrical wires are wrapped in plastic, which is flexible as well as insulating.

The copper wires used in simple electrical circuits are coated in plastic. This prevents electricity from flowing out of the circuit.

Multiple Choice

1. What are materials that do not allow electricity to pass through them called?

• Conductors

• Insulators

• Semiconductors

• Resistors

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of an electrical insulator?

• Copper

• Plastic

• Aluminum

• Iron

Multiple Choice

1. Why are most electrical objects made using insulators?

• To make them conduct electricity better

• To keep them safe

• To make them cheaper

• To make them heavier

Multiple Choice

1. What are copper wires used in simple electrical circuits coated with?

• Rubber

• Wood

• Glass

• Plastic

​Thermal Conductors
Materials that allow heat to pass through them easily are called thermal conductors. Metals, such as aluminum, copper, steel, and iron, are all good thermal conductors. Thermal conductors can be useful when it is necessary to cool things down, or heat them up, quickly. A metal saucepan, for example, allows heat to transfer quickly to the food inside it.

Multiple Choice

1. What are materials that allow heat to pass through them easily called?

• Thermal insulators

• Thermal conductors

• Thermal resistors

• Thermal semiconductors

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following is an example of a thermal conductor?

• Plastic

• Wood

• Aluminum

• Glass

Multiple Choice

1. Why are thermal conductors useful?

• They make things colder

• They make things warmer

• They slow down heat transfer

• They allow heat to transfer quickly

Multiple Choice

1. How does a metal saucepan transfer heat to the food inside it?

• By insulating the food

• By reflecting heat away

• By allowing heat to transfer quickly

• By absorbing heat

​Thermal Insulators
Materials that prevent heat from passing through them are called thermal insulators. A good thermal insulator will keep cold objects cold for a long time, and hot objects hot. Wood, plastic, and many fabrics, such as wool and cotton, are good thermal insulators. Thermal insulators are good materials for keeping people warm. Clothing, carpets, and curtains are examples of everyday thermal insulators.

Multiple Choice

1. What are materials that prevent heat from passing through them called?

• Thermal insulators

• Thermal conductors

• Thermal resistors

• Thermal semiconductors

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following is an example of a thermal insulator?

• Aluminum

• Wool

• Copper

• Steel

Multiple Choice

1. What is a characteristic of a good thermal insulator?

• It makes objects colder quickly

• It keeps objects warmer for a long time

• It conducts heat easily

• It absorbs heat

Multiple Choice

1. What are some examples of everyday thermal insulators?

• Metal objects

• Glass objects

• Clothing, carpets, and curtains

• Plastic objects