Electrical Properties and Uses of Materials

Electrical Properties and Uses of Materials

Electrical Properties of Materials

Conductors

• Conductors are materials that allow free movement of electrons, facilitating electricity flow.
• Common examples include copper, aluminium, and silver.
• Used in wires, cables, and other components where efficient electricity transfer is needed.

Insulators

• An insulator is a material that resists the flow of electric charge.
• Examples include rubber, glass, and plastic.
• Main role is to prevent accidental contact with live electrical parts and protect from electrical shocks.

Semiconductors

• Semiconductors are materials with properties between conductors and insulators.
• Important for electronics, as they can be manipulated to control electric current.
• Silicon is the most common semiconductor material.

Electrical Application of Materials

Copper in cables and wires

• Copper is the most widely used material for electrical wiring due to its high conductivity and flexibility.

Rubber and plastic as insulators

• Rubber and plastic are commonly used as insulating materials in wiring and electrical devices for their excellent insulating properties and resistance to heat.

Silicon in microelectronics

• Silicon is used extensively in microelectronics and computer chips due to its semiconductor properties.

Superconductors in high-performance applications

• Superconductors, which can conduct electricity with no resistance, are used in high-performance applications like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and particle accelerators.

Composite materials in circuit boards

• Composite materials such as fibreglass or plastic embedded with copper tracks are used in the manufacture of circuit boards for their combined properties of insulation, durability, and conductivity.