Electrical Conductors: Properties, Types and Examples

An electrical conductor is a material that lets electric current flow through it effortlessly. It refers to anything that allows electrons to pass through it and conduct electricity. 

• For example, a metal wire connected to a source and destination passes electricity through it.
• These conductors come in various types- solid or liquid, metal or non-metal.
• They take energy or electricity from a source and deliver it to a destination. 
• The wires you see overhead or underground in your city are conductors.
• Such conductors make it possible for electrons to move across surfaces.
• However, the electrons must be charged to move from the source to the conductor.

Key Terms: Electricity, Semiconductors, Superconductors, Resistor, Electrons, Insulators, Electric current

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What Are Electrical Conductors?

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Electrical conductors allow electricity to pass through them from a source. It is recommended not to touch an electrical switch after a shower. It is because water is an excellent conductor of electricity.

• There are multiple types of conductors. It includes good conductors, semiconductors, insulators, and resistors.
• The passage of electric current is possible in conductors through tiny electrons that move from the source. 
• They travel through a conductor to signify what type of conductor it is. 
• If the flow is smooth and with low resistance, then it is a good conductor. 
• But if the movement is partial- it is a semiconductor.

Electrical conductors

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Properties of Electrical Conductors

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To encourage the flow of electrons, a conductor must meet requirements. These are referred to as the properties of an electrical conductor, mentioned below:

• Its electric field is always zero so that the electrons can move around.
• It must permit the flow of both free ions and electrons across its entirely
• Its outside should contain all the free charges, not the inside
• All of its points must have the equal potential of conducting electricity
• Its charge density should be nothing

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Types Of Electrical Conductors with Examples

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Electrical conductors are of four types. These are

• Good conductors
• Semiconductors
• Resistors
• Non-conductors or Insulators

Good Conductors

Good conductors are essentially objects or materials that let electrons flow through them. They do not hinder or resist the flow of electrons. So, they can act as a bridge between the electricity source and the destination. 

Some examples of good conductors are:

• Metals like iron, copper, gold, etc.
• Non-metals like graphite
• Ionic conductors like a salt and water solution

Semiconductors

Semiconductors are materials that have conductivity between a good conductor and an insulator. 

• These are the non-metals and their electrical conductivity is limited. 
• The pure form of a semiconductor like silicon, and germanium is a good semiconductor. 
• The conductivity of semiconductors can be altered by using the doping process.

Almost all electronic devices are made up of semiconductors. Some common forms of semiconductors are

• Silicon
• Gallium Arsenide
• Germanium

Resistors

Resistors undoubtedly resist the flow of electricity through them. They regulate the flow of electricity by resisting an excess amount. They are useful in daily applications due to such control.

Here are some frequent examples of resistors:

• Specifically designed carbon resistors
• Curated lead resistors

Non-Conductors

Insulators (another name for non-conductors) are materials that do not allow any electricity to go through them. 

• They do not permit the flow or passage of electrons under any circumstances.
• The number of free electrons in insulators is very less or negligible.
• They also have multiple applications, especially in electrical safety.

Some common examples of non-conductors are

• Rubber
• Plastic
• Wood

Superconductors

Superconductors are materials that show the property of superconductivity. The property by virtue of which metal, alloy, and oxide show almost zero resistance at very low temperatures is called Superconductivity.

• The temperature below which a material becomes a superconductor is called critical temperature or transition temperature.
• The most important feature of superconductors is that once current is set up in a superconducting ring, it will continue indefinitely even if the battery connected to it is removed.

Some examples of the materials and their critical temperatures are

• Tungsten behaves as a superconductor at 0.01 K
• Titanium behaves as a superconductor at 0.39 K
• Aluminum behaves as a superconductor at 1.18 K

Also read: Electric Current and Circuits

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Things To Remember

• Electrical conductors allow free electrons to move through them freely.
• Types of conductors are Good conductors, Semiconductors, Resistors, Non-conductors, and Superconductors.
• A few common examples of good conductors are metals (iron, copper, etc.), non-metals (graphite), ionic conductors (saline water), etc.
• Insulators do not have free electrons, therefore their electrical conductivity is very less or negligible.
• Superconductors show almost no resistance to the flow of electricity at a particular temperature.