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Electricity Conductors and Insulators

Materials which can carry an electric current are known as conductors of electricity. A conductor allows electrons to flow through it. Most Metals, carbon and damp/wet materials are good conductors, so that is why metals are used for electrical cables and wires.

Insulators are the opposite of conductors, electricity cannot pass easily through an insulator. An insulator is a barrier to electricity. Plastic, cloth, glass and dry air are good insulators. Plastics are used to cover wires and as covers for plugs and switches.

Theme

Anything that electricity can flow through is an electrical conductor.

Aim

  1. Understand what is meant by the term 'conductor' & 'insulator'
  2. Recognise materials that are good and bad conductors
  3. Recognise that ANYTHING made from a good conductor can have electricity run through it
  4. Understand more about 'earth'

Suggested Activities

Use a block battery. Take a piece of foil and fold it several times. Touch one end of the foil strip against the top of the battery; touch the other end to the metal of a light bulb. The bulb will light. Replace the foil with various other materials for instance straw, plastic, a biro, a tin can, test what makes the bulb light.