Conductors and Insulators

Some materials conduct electricity very well and others poorly or not at all.

Materials that conduct electricity well are called conductors.

Materials that conduct electricity poorly or not at all are called insulators.

Good conductors are usually metals.

Other things being equal:

- A short wire conducts electricity better than a long wire.

- A thick wire conducts electricity better than a thin wire.

- For the same length and thickness of wire some metals are better conductors than others.

Metals that conduct heat well tend to conduct electricity well; those that conduct heat poorly also tend to conduct electricity poorly.