What a learner can do afterwards
- Define conductors (allow electricity to flow through) and insulators (block electricity)
- Test at least six materials and correctly classify them as conductors or insulators
- State that metals are generally good conductors and explain why wires are made of metal with plastic coating
The lesson
You already know how to build a simple circuit with a battery, wires, and a bulb. Some materials let electricity flow through them and finish the circuit, so the bulb lights up. We call these materials conductors. Other materials block the electricity, so the bulb stays dark. We call these materials insulators.
Maya tests six materials in her circuit: a metal spoon, a coin, a paperclip, a rubber band, a plastic ruler, and a wooden pencil. The bulb lights up for the spoon, the coin, and the paperclip. It stays dark for the rubber band, the ruler, and the pencil.
Metals like copper and aluminum are usually excellent conductors. That's why electrical wires have a metal core wrapped in a plastic coating. The metal carries the electricity, and the plastic insulator keeps you safe from touching it.
Conductors let electricity flow and insulators block it. Metals are strong conductors, so wires use a metal core wrapped in a plastic insulator for safety.
Watch it
Where it sits
Learn first
This opens up
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.