Conductors and insulators

When it comes to the flow of electric current, all materials fall into three categories:

When it comes to the flow of electric current, all materials fall into three categories:

•insulators

When it comes to the flow of electric current, all materials fall into three categories:

•insulators

•conductors

Insulator –Any material that does not allow electric current to pass through it

•plastic

•rubber

•glass

•like the protective coating on wires

Insulator –Any material that does not allow electric current to pass through it

•plastic

•cloth

•wood

•like the protective coating on wires

Insulator –Any material that does not allow electric current to pass through it

•plastic

•rubber

•glass

•cloth

•wood

•like the protective coating on wires

Insulator –Any material that does not allow electric current to pass through it

•plastic

•rubber

•glass

•cloth

•wood

•like the protective coating on wires

Insulator –Any material that does not allow electric current to pass through it

•plastic

•rubber

•glass

•cloth

•wood

•like the protective coating on wires

Insulator –Any material that does not allow electric current to pass through it

•plastic

•rubber

•glass

•cloth

•wood

•like the protective coating on wires

Insulators like plastic and rubber are used as a covering for electric wires.

This makes electric wires safer to handle because the insulator protects you from the current.

Conductor –

insulator conductor

Any material that allows electric current to pass through it

Conductor –

•copper

insulator conductor

Any material that allows electric current to pass through it

Conductor –

•copper

•aluminum

insulator conductor

Any material that allows electric current to pass through it

Conductor –

•copper

•aluminum

•steel

insulator conductor

Any material that allows electric current to pass through it

Conductor –

•copper

•aluminum

•steel

•any metal

insulator conductor

Any material that allows electric current to pass through it

Conductive material (metal) is used for wires that will carry electricity.

insulator

conductor

Useful electric current can only move through a path of conductive material.

Useful electric current can only move through a path of conductive material.

This path is called a …..

CircuitA path for electric current

An electric circuit might be open or closed.

Closed CircuitAn unbroken path for electric current (no gaps, current can flow).

The light is on

Open CircuitA path for electric current that has a gap (no current can flow).

gap

The light is off

Most electrical devices have a switch in the circuit to make it easy to close (turn on) and open (turn off) the circuit.

Switch A tool to open and close a circuit

switch

A circuit can also be opened and closed by touching two wires together.

Open circuit Closed circuitNo current can flow current can flow

A circuit can also be closed by touching those two wires to a conductor.

ed circuitcurrent can flow