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What are conductors and insulators?

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What is a conductor?

• A conductor is something which allows electricity to flow through.

• An example of a conductor is:– Scissors– Paper clip– Aluminum foil– Iron– Steel– Water

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What is a Insulator?

• An insulator is what makes electricity from not flowing

• Examples of insulators are:– Cotton– Paper– Plastic– Glass– Wood

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These are pictures of conductors and InsulatorsConductors Insulators

Glass Cup

Rubber duck Notebook paper

Cotton ball

scissors Electric Heater

Metal WirePaper clip

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Let me demonstrate…

Set up the equipment as shown and tape the wires to the battery.

•Does anything happen? •Does the banana allow electricity to flow through the circuit and light the bulb?•Is it a conductor or an insulator? Why or why not?

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Use of a circuit tester: To test whether the material is a good electrical conductor.

Example of a circuit tester

Now its your turn…

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Step 1: Set up the circuit tester as shown above.

Step 2: Place the object between the open ends of the wire.

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If the bulb lights up, it means the material allows electric current to flow through the closed circuit.

The brighter the bulb, the better the conductor of electricity is the material.

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Handout

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Inquiring Minds Want to Know! Conductor or Insulator? That is the question!

As you test each item, record whether it was a conductor or and insulator with a

Item Conductor Insulator Did the bulb light?

Spoon

Paper clip

pencil

Rubber band

eraser

Foil

Nail

coin

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