Conductors and Insulators.

Conductors and Insulators

Elements of an Atom All matter is made up atoms. Atoms have a nucleus with electrons in motion around it.The nucleus is composed of
protons and neutrons (not shown). Electrons have a negative charge (-). Protons have a positive charge (+). Neutrons are neutral. In the normal state of an atom, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons and the negative charge of the electrons is balanced by the positive charge of the protons.

Free Electrons

Electrons move about the nucleus at different distances. The closer to the nucleus, the more tightly bound the electrons are to the atom. Electrons in the outer band can be easily force out of the atom by the application of some external force such as a magnetic field, friction, or chemical action.

Electrons forced from atoms are sometimes called free electrons. A free electron leaves a void which can be filled by an electron forced out of another atom.

Conductors

An electric current is produced when free electrons move from atom to atom in a material. Materials that permit many electrons to move freely are called  conductors. Copper, silver, gold, aluminum, zinc, brass, and iron are considered good conductors. Of these materials, copper and aluminum are the ones most commonly used as conductors.

Insulators

Materials that allow few free electrons are called insulators. Materials such as plastic, rubber, glass, mica, and ceramic are good insulators.

An electric cable is one example of how conductors and insulators are used. Electrons flow along a copper or aluminum conductor to provide energy to an electric device such as a radio, lamp, or a motor. An insulator around the outside of the copper conductor is provided to keep electrons in the conductor.

Semiconductors

Semiconductor materials, such as silicon, can be used to manufacture devices that have characteristics of both conductors and insulators. Many semiconductor devices act like a conductor when an external force is applied in one direction and like an insulator when the external force is applied in the opposite direction.This principle is the basis for transistors, diodes, and other solid-state electronic devices.

This is the end of Conductors  and Insulators Unit of Electrical Fundamentals.

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