Why are some substances better conductors than others?

Metals have free electrons that are not bounded to the atoms. These electrons are free to move around within the metal, colliding with the metal atoms and transferring heat to them efficiently. This makes metals better conductors of heat than most other materials.

Why are some substances conductive?

Electrical conductivity in metals is a result of the movement of electrically charged particles. It is these “free electrons” that allow metals to conduct an electric current. Because valence electrons are free to move, they can travel through the lattice that forms the physical structure of a metal.

What causes the main difference between conductors and insulators?

The most common difference between the two is that while conductors allow free flow of electrons from one atom to another, insulators restrict free flow of electrons. Conductors allow electrical energy to pass through them, whereas insulators do not allow electrical energy to pass through them.

Why can some materials conduct while others can t?

The resistance is normally constant for each material, but there is a different resistance for different materials. As the resistance of a material increases, its conductivity goes down, so the amount of current that it conducts must also decrease, according to Ohm’s law: I = V/R.

Why are some materials Good conductors whereas others are not?

Conductors allow charge to pass freely through them, whereas insulators do not. Metals are good conductors (both of heat and electricity) because at least one electron per atom is free: i.e., it is not tied to any particular atom, but is, instead, able to move freely throughout the metal.

Why do some substances conduct while others do not?

Some are mode of uncharged particles called molecules. Sugar is such a substance. When sugar is dissolved in water, the solution does not conduct electricity, because there are no ions in the solution. Some substances that are made of molecules form solutions that do conduct electricity.

What makes a substance insulator?

Insulators have strong bonds that hold their particles rigidly in place. Since particles in an insulator don’t move around easily, the amount of energy that is transferred to other particles is minimal. This prevents particles from gaining energy and increasing the temperature.

How are insulators and conductors alike?

Similarities exist between insulators and conductors in terms of structure, hardness and softness, density and doping, which is when some other element or compound is incorporated into an insulator or a conductor to change its electrical behavior. Doping can change a conductor to an insulator and vice versa.

What do insulators and conductors have in common?