Conductors, insulators, semiconductors

Question 1

Define conductor

Answer 1

They are materials that allow electricity to pass through them. e.g, metal, graphite

Question 2

List the metals and their use as conductors

Answer 2

Copper:
1) Copper is highly conductive and commonly used in metal wiring.

Gold:
1) Gold is an optimal conductor material for connectors, pins, and springs.

Silver:
1) Silver has the highest electrical conductivity of all metals, with copper being the second highest.
2) It’s often used for solder, electrical contacts, and printed circuit boards.

Question 3

Define insulator

Answer 3

Insulators are materials that don’t allow electricity to pass through them easily

Question 4

List and give uses for plastic as an insulator

Answer 4

Plastics: epoxy, resin, melamine.

Plastics can be used as insulation foams in roofs, plastered walls, sandwich walls, and floors.

Question 5

List and give uses for glass as an insulator

Answer 5

Glass is designed to support and insulate high-voltage electrical conductors in electrical energy distribution and transportation systems.

Question 6

List and give uses for ceramic as an insulator

Answer 6

1) Ceramic materials such as porcelain have been made into electric insulators
2) Ceramics are designed into different shapes with excellent heat resistance and durability.

Question 7

Recall how wood and air can be insulators and conductors

Answer 7

Wood and air are usually insulators at low/medium voltages but are conductors at high voltages. e.g lighting

Question 8

Define semiconductor

Answer 8

They are materials that allow electricity to pass through them, but only to some extent. e.g silicon

Question 9

Describe the use of silicon in electronics

Answer 9

1) In electronics, silicon is primarily used to make semiconductor devices.
2) It is mixed with other elements, which makes it a semiconductor.