fbpx

KidsKonnect

Conductors and Insulators Facts & Worksheets

Materials that readily permit the passage of electric charges are known as conductors. Materials classified as insulators impede the easy passage of electric charges through them.

Search for Worksheets

Worksheets /Science /Conductors and Insulators Facts & Worksheets

Premium
Not ready to purchase a subscription? Click to download the free sample version   Download sample

Materials that readily permit the passage of electric charges are known as conductors. This is because they have many free electrons in their outermost shell, which allows them to move freely and not be tightly bound to the nucleus. Materials classified as insulators impede the easy passage of electric charges through them. They either have very few or no free electrons, which explains why.

See the fact file below for more information about Conductors and Insulators, or you can download our 25-page Conductors and Insulators worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

CONDUCTORS

  • Simply put, materials that facilitate easy electrical flow are considered electrical conductors. Conductivity is the quality of conductors that enables them to conduct electricity.
  • The movement of electrons in a conductor is known as electric current. The force required to make that current flow through the conductor is known as voltage.
  • When a charge is applied to one of these elements, it is dispersed throughout the whole surface, causing the electrons within the object to move. 
  • When excess electrons are transferred to an electrical conductor, the charges disperse until the force of repulsion between the extra electrons is reduced to its lowest possible value. 
  • When one of these objects comes into contact with another conductor, the charge is transferred from the first to the second conductor until the total charge-related repulsion is reduced.
  • Earth, people, and metals are all conductors. This is the cause of the electric shocks we experience!
  • The earth, human body, and graphite are all excellent electrical conductors. Among the examples of common conductors are metals like:

INSULATORS

  • Materials known as insulators prevent electrons from freely moving from one elemental particle to another. If any charge is applied to such an element, it stays where it was initially used and does not spread over the surface. 
  • Rubbing is the most popular method of charging these elements (with the help of suitable materials) for certain elements
  • Below are a few examples of common insulators:

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CONDUCTOR AND INSULATORS

  • We are aware that various elements in our environment can be distinguished from one another according to their physical characteristics, such as phase, flexibility, color, texture, solubility, polarity, etc. 
  • However, elements can be categorized as conductors or insulators based on how well they conduct electric charge. For instance, the bulb won’t blink if we conduct a straightforward experiment with a tiny LED and a battery, connecting them with cotton thread or plastic. 
  • If we conduct the same experiment again using copper that resembles metallic wire, the bulb glows. 
  • Certain elements obstruct the passage of energy through them. 
  • The table below lists some significant differences between conductors and insulators.
  • There are various types of conductors and insulators according to their characteristics and uses. 
  • Insulators have four categories: strain, shackle, suspension, and pin types. 
  • Hard-drawn aluminum, hard-drawn copper, and steel-cored aluminum are the three conductor types that are most frequently utilized.

EXAMPLES OF CONDUCTORS AND INSULATORS

Conductors

  • Silver, a metallic element, is the best electrical conductor at standard temperature and pressure. 
  • Nevertheless, silver is only sometimes the best material option due to its high cost, tarnish susceptibility, and non-conductive oxide layer.
  • Other strong conductors include:

Insulators

  • In insulators, electric charges cannot pass through freely. Strong insulators are frequently used to coat or create a barrier between conductors to control electric currents, which is an ideal quality in many situations. 
  • Rubber-coated cables and wires exhibit this. The following are the best electrical insulators:
    • Rubber
    • Glass
    • Pure water
    • Oil
    • Air
    • Diamond
    • Dry wood
    • Dry cotton
    • Plastic
    • Asphalt
  • Other strong insulators include:
    • Fiberglass
    • Dry paper
    • Porcelain
    • Ceramics
    • Quartz

FACTORS THAT AFFECT CONDUCTIVITY

  • A material’s size and shape have an impact on its conductivity. For instance, a thicker material will conduct more effectively than a thinner material of the same dimensions. 
  • Similar to how it’s easier to force water through a short pipe than a long one, if you have two pieces of material that are the same thickness but are shorter than the other, the shorter piece will conduct better because it has less resistance.
  • Conductivity is also impacted by temperature. Atoms and their electrons gain energy with temperature. 
  • Certain insulators, such as glass, conduct poorly when cooled but well when heated; most metals, however, conduct better when cooled and less effectively when heated. 
  • At very low temperatures, certain good conductors turn into superconductors.
  • Electrons flow through conductors without causing wear on the atoms; however, moving electrons encounter resistance, which is why electrical current flow can heat conductive materials. 
  • Conduction itself can change a material’s temperature occasionally.

APPLICATIONS OF CONDUCTORS AND INSULATORS

The following are some of the uses for conductors:

  • Most uses of conductors are in practical applications.
  • The thermometer’s mercury is used to measure the body temperature of humans.
  • In addition to making fry pans, aluminum foil is also used to store food.
  • The vehicle engine uses iron in its construction to conduct heat.
  • The steel composition of the iron plate allows it to absorb heat rapidly.
  • In automobile radiators, conductors are used to remove heat from the engine.

The following are some of the uses for insulators:

Heat cannot move from one place to another thanks to thermal insulators. These are used to construct walls, ceiling fire protection, and thermoplastic bottles.

The flow of electrons through electrical insulators is stopped. These find application in circuit boards, high-voltage systems, electric wire coating, and cables.

Because they absorb sound well, sound insulators help regulate noise levels. Therefore, we use them to create noise-free conference rooms and buildings.

The interplay between insulators and conductors is essential for various applications in physics. Insulators provide safety and prevent unwanted electrical leakage, while conductors facilitate the flow of electricity, enabling the operation of electrical devices and systems.

Conductors and Insulators Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Conductors and Insulators across 25 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Conductors and Insulators. Materials that readily permit the passage of electric charges are known as conductors. Materials classified as insulators impede the easy passage of electric charges through them.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Conductors and Insulators Facts
  2. Do You Know More?
  3. Blank Space
  4. Circuit Diagram
  5. Think Critical
  6. Household Items
  7. Conducting Electricity
  8. Build a Model Circuit
  9. Conductivity and Temperature
  10. Insulating Material
  11. Energy-Efficient Device

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a conductor?

A conductor is a material that allows the flow of electric current. In conductors, electrons are loosely bound, making it easy for them to move in response to an applied electric field.

Give an example of a common conductor.

Copper is a common conductor used in electrical wiring and components. It is preferred due to its high conductivity and affordability.

What is an insulator?

An insulator is a material that does not allow the flow of electric current. Insulators have tightly bound electrons, preventing them from moving freely in response to an electric field.

Provide an example of a typical insulator.

Rubber is a common insulator. It is used to coat electrical wires and cables to prevent the leakage or loss of electric current.

How does the conductivity of conductors compare to that of insulators?

Conductors have high electrical conductivity, meaning they allow easy flow of electric current. In contrast, insulators have low conductivity, impeding the flow of electric current. This difference is due to the variance in the mobility of electrons within the materials.

Link/cite this page

If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.

Link will appear as Conductors and Insulators Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, January 17, 2024

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

Related Resources