Electricity
Julia Zhu
In order to learn more about electricity, you need to be familiar with vocabulary. Below are a few important terms.
Conductor
A conductor is a material that electric currents can easily move through.
Copper, water, and iron are all examples of conductors.
Semiconductor
A semiconductor is a material that does not allow electric currents to flow freely, but do not directly stop them either.
Silicon (found in computer chips) is an example of a semiconductor.
Insulator
An insulator is a material that electric current cannot move easily through.
Plastic, glass, and rubber are examples of insulators.
Comparing and Contrasting
There are apparent differences between conductors, semiconductors, and insulators. Conductors let electrons move freely, while electrons are faced with resistance in semiconductors. Insulators have the greatest resistance. It is very difficult for electrons to move through.
In Everyday Life...
You can find many examples of conductors, semiconductors, and insulators in your daily life. For example, the wires inside chargers and earphones are conductors, and plastic chairs and window panes are insulators. Even semiconductors are apparent in everyday life- you yourself are a semiconductor! Humans, as well as computer chips are examples of semiconductors.