Conductors and

insulators
When it comes to the flow of electric
current, all materials fall into three
categories:
When it comes to the flow of electric
current, all materials fall into three
categories:

•insulators
When it comes to the flow of electric
current, all materials fall into three
categories:

•insulators
•conductors
When it comes to the flow of electric
current, all materials fall into three
categories:

•insulators
•conductors
•resistors
 Insulator –
Any material that does not allow
electric current to pass through it
•like the protective coating on wires

•plastic
•rubber
Insulator –
Any material that does not allow
electric current to pass through it
•like the protective coating on wires

•plastic

•cloth
•
Insulator –
Any material that does not allow
electric current to pass through it
•like the protective coating on wires

•plastic
•rubber
•glass
Insulator –
Any material that does not allow
electric current to pass through it
•like the protective coating on wires

•plastic •cloth
•rubber •wood
•glass
Insulator –
Any material that does not allow
electric current to pass through it
•like the protective coating on wires

•plastic •cloth
•rubber •wood
•glass
Insulator –
Any material that does not allow
electric current to pass through it
•like the protective coating on wires

•plastic •cloth
•rubber •wood
•glass
Insulators like plastic
and rubber are used
as a covering for
electric wires.
This makes electric
wires safer to handle
because the insulator
protects you from the
current.
Conductor –
Any material that allows electric
current to pass through it
insulator conductor
 Conductor –
Any material that allows electric
current to pass through it
insulator conductor

•copper
 Conductor –
Any material that allows electric
current to pass through it
insulator conductor

•copper
•aluminum
 Conductor –
Any material that allows electric
current to pass through it
insulator conductor

•copper
•aluminum
•steel
 Conductor –
Any material that allows electric
current to pass through it
insulator conductor

•copper •any metal

•aluminum
•steel
Conductive
material (metal) is
used for wires that
will carry electricity.
insulator

conductor
Resistor A material or a
device that allows some current to
pass but converts some of the
current to another form of energy.
Heat
Light energy
energy

Motion
energy
Sound
energy
These appliances have resistors
that convert electrical energy into
light energy.

into ligh
eat
energy
Motion energ
Sound
energy
energy
These appliances have resistors
that turn electrical energy into
motion energy.
Heat
energy

Light
energy

Sound
energy
 These appliances have resistors
that change electrical energy into
heat energy.

Heat
energ
M
Sound e
energy
These appliances have resistors that
convert electrical energy into
sound energy.
Useful electric current can
only move through a path
of conductive material.
Useful electric current can
only move through a path
of conductive material.
This path is called a …..
Circuit
A path for electric current
An electric
circuit might be
open or closed.
 Closed Circuit
An unbroken path for electric
current (no gaps, current can flow).

The light
is on
Open Circuit
A path for electric current that
has a gap (no current can flow).

The light
is off
gap
Most electrical devices
have a switch in the
circuit to make it easy to
close (turn on) and
open (turn off) the
circuit.
Switch A tool to open and
close a circuit
switch
A circuit can also be
opened and closed by
touching two wires together.
Open circuit Closed circuit
No current can flow current can flow
A circuit can also be closed
by touching those two wires
to a conductor.
ed circuit
current can flow