Electrical Conductors - Types, Examples, Properties, FAQs

Have you ever thought about why it is always suggested that you wear rubber slippers while handling electric circuits? The answer to this question would be because it is a Conductor. Conductors are the materials that allow easy flow of heat and electric current to pass through them. In this article, we will discuss about conductor. In this topic, we’ll discuss various conductors including metallic, non-metallic, and superconductors. We will also be seeing about the properties which make conductors suitable to use in certain cases.

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This Story also Contains

1. What is Conductor?
2. Types of Conductor
3. Properties of Conductor
4. Test Your Knowledge

What is Conductor?

An electrical conductor is a substance that allows the heat and Electric Current to pass through it easily. Atoms in conductors are arranged in the manner that it easily allows the outer electrons to move freely from one atom to another, which helps in creating the path of electric current and heat movement.

Conductors are majorly used in systems where transfer of energy is needed like electric wiring and electric circuits.

Examples-
Copper is a good conductor of electricity, Aluminium, and Salt water, are some other examples of conductors.

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Types of Conductor

Conductors are classified into different types based on their properties and uses. Some majorly used types are discussed below:

1. Metallic Conductor: These are the materials in which the flow of electricity is carried by the electrons which are found within the metal. Commonly used in electrical wiring, and circuits.

Examples of Metallic Conductor of Electricity- Copper, Silver, Aluminum and Gold.

2. Non-metallic Conductor: These are substances of low conductivity and of non-metallic nature in which the electric current is conducted through ions or ions and free electrons. Used in specialized electronic applications and battery technologies.

Example- Graphite and conductive polymers.

3. Ionic Conductor (Electrolytes): Electricity flows in this type of conductor with the help of movement of ions, when melted or dissolved in water. Present in batteries, electrolysis processes and biological systems.

Example- Saltwater, molten sodium chloride, and various electrolyte solutions.

4. Superconductors: These are the materials which conduct electricity without resistance when it cool down at a very low temperature. Utilized in MRI machines, particle accelerators and other high-tech applications where energy loss must be minimized.

Example- Certain alloys and ceramics, like niobium-titanium (NbTi) or yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO).

5. Semiconductors: These materials have a property of electrical conductivity between conductors and insulators. It can be adjusted by doping (adding impurities) or by applying voltage, heat, or light. Common in electronics and used in the construction of transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits.

Example- Silicon, germanium, and gallium arsenide.

Let's look at some more types of conductors in brief:

Perfect conductors: Perfect conductor has zero resistance and requires a constant magnetic flux. The magnetic field in an ideal conductor is zero or non-zero.

Good Conductor: Good Conductors are materials through which electricity or heat flows freely. This is because it has free electrons that are able to move around, and do carry energy with them all the time.

Properties of Conductor

The conductors have their unique characteristics which qualify them to transmit electricity or heat current. Here are the key properties:

• High Electrical Conductivity: Atoms in conductors are arranged in a way that it allows free movement of electrons which helps in conducting electricity easily.
• Ductility and Malleability: Most of the conductors like the metals are mostly ductile and malleable, they are easily shaped into wires or even beaten without snapping. These make them suitable for wiring uses as well as industrial purposes.
• Shiny or Metallic Luster: The shiny appearance of many conductors is due to the fact that they reflect light. This is because free electrons can absorb and re-emit photons.
• Positive Temperature Coefficient of Resistance: Most of the metallic conductors exhibit a positive temperature coefficient of resistance which means that when they are heated they become slightly less conductive.
• Ability to Allow Free Electron Flow: Conductors possess free electrons in metals and in electrolytes, they have free ions that will flow an electric current.

Are Conductors Magnetic Substances?

All conductors of electricity are not magnetic substances. Some of the electric conductors like iron, nickel, cobalt, etc. are made up of magnetic substances, they are ferromagnetic. But some of the electrical conductors like gold, silver, copper, aluminum, etc. are not attracted by magnets. So we can say all conductors of electricity are not magnetic substances.

How Electric Current Flows in Metallic Conductor?

We know that metal is made up of atoms. Every atom has a negative charge particle known as an electron. When we apply an electric field to the metallic conductor ( copper, silver, aluminum, etc, ) then the flow of (electrons) electric charge in a metallic conductor and current starts to flow.

Related Topics

• Resistor
• Heating Effect Electric Current
• Types of Cables
• Potentiometer Working

What is the best conductor of electricity?

Best electricity conductors are those who conduct electricity easily. The best conductors of electricity are copper, aluminum, iron, gold, silver, and, mercury, etc,. Let's understand the properties of copper, good conductor of electricity in detail.

Copper: Copper was the most preferred material in earlier days but due to its high cost, it is replaced by aluminum. Because aluminum is cheaper than copper and it also has a lower weight. Some of the Properties of Copper are discussed below.

• It has high conductivity and greater tensile strength.
• Copper is non-magnetic metal and has good physical, chemical, and electrical properties.
• Copper has free electrons in its outer orbital shell due to this it is the best conductor of electricity.
• Copper can easily be soldered and welded.
• Copper is durable and has a high scrap value, but because of its high cost and non-availability copper is rarely utilized in transmission lines.

Test Your Knowledge

1- Among the materials which is a good conductor of electricity?

I) Plastic

II) Mica

III) Glass

IV) Copper

Answer-

copper

2- Metals are conductors of electricity. (True/False)

Answer-

True

3- Which of the following sentence is/are correct?

i) Copper is an insulator

ii) Copper is a Conductor

iii) Wood is a good Conductor of electricity.

Answer-

Only i) is correct