Insulators vs. Conductors: Electrical Properties

Conductors

• Allow easy electric current flow.
• Low resistance; abundant free electrons.
• Mostly metals: copper, aluminum, silver, gold.
• Examples: electrical wires, metal utensils, coins, pipes.

Insulators

• Resist electric current flow.
• High resistance; tightly bound electrons.
• Non-metallic: rubber, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics.

Key difference: conductors have free electrons for charge movement; insulators have bound electrons that resist flow.