Exams Prep Master
We tend to distinguish the elements around us on the basis of their physical properties such as phase, texture, colour, polarity, malleability and so on. However, another very significant classification of elements is made based on their conductivity of electric charge, i.e, conductors and insulators. Here, we will discuss the concepts in depth along with some important questions.
Key Terms: Electrical conductors,Insulators, conductor, electric current, metals, covalent bond, current electricity
What are Conductors?
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
An electrical conductor is described as a material that allows electricity to flow freely through it. Conductivity is the property of conductors that allows them to conduct electricity. The passage of electrons in a conductor is known as electric current. Voltage is the force required to make that current flow through the conductor.
When a charge is applied to such an element, it is dispersed throughout the full surface of the object, causing electrons to move around inside. Charges are transferred to an electrical conductor until the force of repulsion between electrons in areas of excess electrons is reduced to zero. When such an object comes into touch with another conductor, the charge is transferred from the first conductor to the second, reducing total charge repulsion. All conductors are metals, humans, and the earth. This is why we get electric shocks.
Electric Conductor
Examples of Conductors
- Silver is the most efficient electrical conductor. Silver, on the other hand, is not employed in industry or for energy transmission due to its high cost.
- Electrical conductors include steel, copper, gold, brass, and aluminum. Wires are used in electric circuits and systems in the shape of wires.
- Mercury is a great conductor of liquids. As a result, this substance can be found in a wide range of musical instruments.
- Gases are poor conductors of electricity because their atoms are so widely apart. They are unable to conduct electrons as a result.
Electrical Conductors
Also Read:
| Related Articles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Covalent bonds | Amorphous and Crystalline Solids | Magnetic Properties |
| Crystal Lattices and Unit Cells | Packing Efficiency | Coordination Compounds |
Applications of Conductors
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Conductors are quite handy in a variety of situations and are useful as well. For example,
- Mercury is commonly found in thermometers that are used to assess body temperature.
- Food-storage foils are made from aluminum. It's also used to build fry pans that can maintain a high level of heat for an extended period.
- Iron is a typical heat-conducting material used in car engine production.
- The iron plate is constructed of steel, which allows it to absorb heat quickly.
- Automobile radiators employ conductors to transmit heat away from the engine.
Applications of Conductors
What are Insulators?
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Insulators are materials that inhibit electrons from easily passing from one particle of one element to the next. If we apply a charge to such an element at any point on the surface, the charge remains in the same place and does not spread throughout the surface. Charging by rubbing (with the help of appropriate materials for specific parts) and charging by induction are two common ways of charging such components.
Electrical Insulators
Difference Between Conductors and Insulators
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
The table below lists some of the most important conductor and insulator differences.
| Conductor | Insulator |
|---|---|
| Materials that allow heat or electricity to travel through them. | Materials that prevent heat and electricity from passing through them. |
| Silver, aluminum, and iron are examples of conductors. | Paper, wood, and rubber are all examples of insulators. |
| Within the conductor, electrons are free to travel about. | Within the insulator, electrons cannot freely migrate. |
| On the outside, there is an electric field, but on the inside, there is none. | No such thing as an electric field exists. |
What is an Electrical Conductor?
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Electrical conductors, to put it in simple words, are materials that allow electricity to flow freely through them. When two materials are compared, the first is said to be a good conductor of electricity because it allows more electricity to pass through it.
Electrical Conductor
Examples of Electrical Conductor
The following are some examples of electrical conductors:
The electric charges can easily pass via an electrical conductor. Conductivity refers to a conductor's ability to "conduct" electricity. Such materials provide less impediment to the flow of charges, or "resistance." Because electrons can freely flow through conducting materials, charge transfer is simple.
Properties of Electrical Conductor
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
When a conductor is at equilibrium, it has the following properties:
- The mobility of electrons and ions in a conductor is always possible.
- A conductor's electric field is zero, allowing electrons to move freely within it.
- A conductor's charge density is zero.
- Free charges exist only on the conductor's surface.
- A conductor's points all have the same potential.
Many metals are excellent electrical conductors. This is why metals are used in components of appliances that require passing electricity. Insulators are plastic coverings that wrap electrical conductors. It protects us from being shocked by electricity.
Types of Conductors
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Types of Conductors
Metals:
Metals are the most common conducting materials utilized in practical applications. Copper wires or their alloys, for example, are most likely used as conducting elements in the wire around your house. Metal is used in electric plugs, and metal is also used as a conducting substance in the internal mechanism of your electric irons. This is due to metals' abundance of free electrons, which encourage mobility. Copper (Cu), Silver (Ag), and Gold (Au) are some of the best metal conductors (Au).
The greater the conductivity of a metal, the more free electrons it has. In comparison to copper and gold, silver has a higher electrical conductivity. Copper is used in all household appliances and circuits because silver is significantly more expensive than copper.
Aluminum is likewise a good conductor of electricity, however, it has a somewhat lower conductivity than copper. It's used in the home's internal wiring, and it's most typically employed in conjunction with copper. Because silver oxide batteries are light and robust, they are commonly used in timepieces and hearing aids.
Non-Metals:
Certain non-metals are excellent electrical conductors. Carbon in the form of graphite, for example, is an excellent conductor of electricity. Only three of the four carbon atoms in graphite's structure are employed for bonding. One electron is now available for bonding. Non-metals, on the other hand, are poor electrical conductors.
Ionic Conductors:
Ionic conductors are conductors that are in solution form. Saltwater, for example, is an ionic solution that conducts electricity well.
Semiconductors:
Although semiconductors are not as good at conducting electricity as conductors, they have applications. Germanium (Ge) and Silicon are examples of semiconductors (Si).
Things to Remember
- The topic “Conductors” is covered in Unit 1 i.e, The Solid State of NCERT Class 12 Chemistry.
- Most electrical conductors are also good conductors of heat.
- Temperature can play a significant role in the conductance of a material.
Read More:
Sample Questions
Ques: What is the definition of a semiconductor? (2 marks)
Ans: A semiconductor is a material that has an electrical conductivity that is halfway between that of a conductor and that of an insulator. Germanium and Silicon, for example.
Ques: What are the benefits of using lightning rods? (1 mark)
Ans: A lightning rod aims to protect structures from lightning damage by preventing surges and directing currents to the ground.
Ques: What are the factors that influence a conductor's resistivity? (2 marks)
Ans:
- Temperature affects a conductor's resistance.
- The conductor's material of construction.
Ques: What is the name of the inverse of conductance? (1 mark)
Ans: Resistance is the inverse of conductance.
Ques: Copper wires are used in electric cables because metals are good conductors of electricity. Is this statement true or false? (2 marks)
Ans: True. Metal wires are used to make electric cables because they are excellent conductors of electricity.
Ques: What are conductors? (2 marks)
Ans: An electrical conductor is described as a material that allows electricity to flow freely through it. Conductivity is the property of conductors that allows them to conduct electricity. The passage of electrons in a conductor is known as electric current. Voltage is the force required to make that current flow through the conductor.
Ques: Why are metals used for making electrical wires? Explain. (3 marks)
Ans: Metals are the good conductors of electricity due to which they are used for making electric wires.
Explanation: Metals are the most common conducting materials utilized in practical applications. Copper wires or their alloys, for example, are most likely used as conducting elements in the wire around your house. Metal is used in electric plugs, and metal is also used as a conducting substance in the internal mechanism of your electric irons. This is due to metals' abundance of free electrons, which encourage mobility.
Ques: Write a feature that will differentiate a metallic solid from an ionic solid. (Delhi 2010)
Ans: The electrical conductivity in metallic solid is due to free electrons. Whereas in ionic solid, the conductivity is due to the presence of ions.
Ques: What kind of semiconductor is obtained when silicon is doped with arsenic? (All India 2010)
Ans: n-type semiconductor is obtained when silicon is doped with arsenic.
Ques: Crystalline solids are anisotropic in nature- what does this statement mean? (Delhi 2011)
Ans: This means that the crystalline solids represent different values of their properties such as electrical conductivity, refractive index, thermal expansions and so on in different directions.
Ques: (a) What change occurs when AgCl is doped with CdCl2?
(b) What kind of semiconductor is produced when silicon is doped with boron? (All India 2013)
Ans: (a) Impurity defect of ionic solid is produced when AgCl is doped with CdCl2. Because of this defect, vacancies are created that result in higher electrical conductivity of the solid.
(b) p-type semiconductor is obtained when silicon is doped with boron.
For Latest Updates on Upcoming Board Exams, Click Here: https://t.me/class_10_12_board_updates
Check-Out:
Comments