30 Examples of Conductors and Insulators
Miscellanea / / July 04, 2021
The chemical composition of matter contains electron shells; that is to say that the atoms Of which all elements are composed, they contain a nucleus surrounded by a series of orbits, each of which has a maximum number of electrons.
The last of these orbits, that is, the one with the greatest distance from the nucleus of the atom, can have a different number of electrons: this It is what determines the ability of all the substance to let electricity pass, which is what is known daily as conducting it or isolate it.
The fact that the number of electrons in the outermost layer is high explains that they do not let electrons pass from another substance that seeks to share them, which represents the minimum unit of what is known as energy. When two atoms come into contact with each other, this condition is what determines whether there will be exchange of electrons, which is what, in the case of an electric current, produces the passage of the Energy.
The electric power used by this means, that is, the use of the potential difference allowing the current to be established is something that is fundamental for the human being, so much so that the issues related to the generation, distribution and commercialization of this energy have been greatly improved both for commercial use and for residential.
Most electrical current processes use metals, since it is proven that they are the best means for the passage of energy: in any case, hydrogen belongs to the category of no metals and it constitutes a great conductor of electricity.
However, the success of the electrical current system occurs to the extent that it can be regulated, and that current limiting materials can be included. It happens that, for example, the human body uses levels of electricity that change depending on the function body, but which is always lower than the electrical levels at which a large amount of machines.
In this way, if the body (made up largely of water, a conductive material) comes into contact with this electricity, according to the power levels It can range from the perception of a tingling or cramping to severe burns and potential death. In this sense, it is very common for insulating materials to be used in devices that have a very strong electrical charge.
Between the Insulating materials and the drivers, a separate category appears which is that of semiconductors. These materials have an electrical conductivity lower than that of a metallic conductor but higher than that of a good insulator. An example is silicon.
Examples of conductive materials
- Tungsten
- Lanthanum
- Silver
- Aluminum
- Beryllium
- Hydrogen
- Sodium
- Zinc
- Copper
- Gold
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Rhodium
- Iridium
- Graphite
Examples of insulating materials
- Minerals
- Polyethylene
- Ceramics
- Rubbers
- Cork
- Quartz
- Wood
- Silicate
- Clay
- Mylar
- Slab
- Plastic
- Polystyrene
- Teflon
- Glasses
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