What is the difference between electrical conductors and insulators?

Electrical conductors allow the flow of electricity, while insulators prevent or limit its flow.

Electrical conductors are materials that allow the flow of electric current through them. They have a low resistance to the flow of electricity and are commonly made of metals such as copper, silver, and aluminum. These materials have free electrons that can move easily through the material when a voltage is applied. The movement of these electrons is what allows the flow of electric current.

Insulators, on the other hand, are materials that prevent or limit the flow of electric current through them. They have a high resistance to the flow of electricity and are commonly made of materials such as rubber, glass, and plastic. These materials do not have free electrons that can move easily through the material when a voltage is applied. Instead, the electrons are tightly bound to the atoms in the material, making it difficult for them to move.

The ability of a material to conduct or insulate electricity is determined by its electrical conductivity. This is a measure of how easily electric current can flow through the material. Materials with high electrical conductivity are good conductors, while materials with low electrical conductivity are good insulators.

In summary, electrical conductors allow the flow of electric current through them, while insulators prevent or limit its flow. The conductivity of a material determines whether it is a conductor or an insulator.