1. Conductors and Insulators
Mr. M. Couturier
SNC1P

2. Electrical Materials

3. Electrical Materials
Part of designing/inventing products is the selection of materials. In terms of electricity, materials can either be conductors or insulators.
A conductor is a material that allows electrons to pass with relative ease.
An insulator is a material that makes electron movement very difficult. Most will not pass.

4. Electrical Materials

5. Electrical Materials
Some materials only allow electrons to pass with minor ease but are still considered conductors rather than insulators. These materials are often referred to as semiconductors (fair conductors).

6. Conductors
When a good flow of electrons is required, electrical conductors tend to be in the form of wires. Hence, materials that are ductile, malleable, inexpensive and good conductors of electricity are ideal.

7. Common Good Conductors
Good conductors include:
Silver
Copper
Gold
Aluminum
Magnesium
Tungsten
Nickel

8. Copper

9. Common Semiconductors
Fair conductors or semiconductors include:
Graphite (carbon)
nichrome
Human Body and Damp skin
Acid solutions
Salt solutions
Earth and humid atmosphere
Silicon (reference to Silicon Valley)

10. Graphite

11. Insulators
Sometimes, when electricity is present, you wish to create a strong barrier that will prevent almost all electrons from passing. Insulators provide such a barrier and are often used to coat conductors (i.e. wire coats, light switches, electrical outlet covers.

12. Common Insulators Good insulators or terrible conductors:
Oil and plastic
Fur/wool
Wax
Ebonite
Wood and paper/silk
RUBBER (think boots)
Porcelain, glass or ceramics
Pure Water

13. Rubber Boots

14. Ebonite Rod

15. Common Insulators

16. Homework Read 11.4 Conductors and Insulators (pages 480 – 482)
Do questions 1-7
Read p.483