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Most substances fall into two categories - conductors and insulators.

Conductors are those which electricity can pass through relatively easily. Metals are the usual example, but other substances such as graphite and polar liquids such as water are also good conductors.

Insulators are poor conductors: those that electricity cannot pass through easily. Most plastics are insulators.

Some substances fall in between: these are semiconductors, which allow electricity through in some instances, but not in others. This property makes them very useful in electronics.

Some substances can be such good conductors that, under some circumstances, they can allow electricity to pass through them with no resistance at all. These are called superconductors.

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Q: What are the classification of materials according to electrical conductivity?
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What does thermal and electrical conductivity mean?

Thermal and electrical conductivity are physical properties; they represent the ability of materials to conduct heat or electrical current.


Do nonmetals or metals have high thermal and electrical conductivity?

Both thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity tend to be higher in metals than in most other materials.


Is a doorknob a conductor?

The short answer to the question "Is a doorknob a conductor?" is "it depends." Doorknobs are generally made from a variety of materials depending on their purpose and the environment in which they are used. Some materials such as aluminum and brass are electrical conductors while others such as stainless steel and many plastics are not.Whether or not a particular doorknob is a conductor depends on the material from which it is made. Generally speaking doorknobs made from non-conductive materials will not conduct electricity while those made from conductive materials like aluminum or brass may conduct electricity. Here is a list of some common materials used to make doorknobs and their relative electrical conductivity: Aluminum - High electrical conductivity Brass - High electrical conductivity Plastic - Low electrical conductivity Stainless Steel - Low electrical conductivity Wood - Low electrical conductivityIf you are unsure about a particular doorknob\'s electrical conductivity the best way to find out is to consult the manufacturer or an electrician. Ultimately the answer to the question "Is a doorknob a conductor?" depends on the material from which it is made.


What is the physical significance of Nernst-Einstein equation?

The equation relates the electrical conductivity to the diffusivity of its anion and cation constituents. While electrical conductivity is relatively simple to measure, diffusivity is a bit more complicated. Measuring the electrical conductivity of a solution or melt one can study materials properties and interaction.


What is insulating material used for?

insulating materials have low thermal/electrical conductivity values and hence can be used in applications where resistance to heat or resistance to the passage of electrical current is required.

Related questions

What does thermal and electrical conductivity mean?

Thermal and electrical conductivity are physical properties; they represent the ability of materials to conduct heat or electrical current.


Do nonmetals or metals have high thermal and electrical conductivity?

Both thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity tend to be higher in metals than in most other materials.


How conductivity effects power?

Conductivty is an electrical property of conducting materials. Silver has the higest conductivity, then copper then aluminimum. Conductivity does not really change with electrical wiring so the power will not be directly affected.


How will be the therml conductivity and melting pointin Electrical contact materials used in switches brushes and relays must possess?

How will be the therml conductivity and melting pointin Electrical contact materials used in switches brushes and relays must possess


How do you distinguish between conductive and non-conducting materials?

By measurements of the electrical (or thermal) conductivity.


What large materials are good thermal conductors and good electrical conductors?

from wiedemann franz law we know that thermal conductivity/electrical conductivity=constant that is sigma inv. proportional to k thus a material having large electrical conductivity has low thermal conductivity and moreover we know R=pL/A p=RA/L 1/P=L/RA i.e lower area means greater conductivity(electrical) and lower thermal conductivity


Is a doorknob a conductor?

The short answer to the question "Is a doorknob a conductor?" is "it depends." Doorknobs are generally made from a variety of materials depending on their purpose and the environment in which they are used. Some materials such as aluminum and brass are electrical conductors while others such as stainless steel and many plastics are not.Whether or not a particular doorknob is a conductor depends on the material from which it is made. Generally speaking doorknobs made from non-conductive materials will not conduct electricity while those made from conductive materials like aluminum or brass may conduct electricity. Here is a list of some common materials used to make doorknobs and their relative electrical conductivity: Aluminum - High electrical conductivity Brass - High electrical conductivity Plastic - Low electrical conductivity Stainless Steel - Low electrical conductivity Wood - Low electrical conductivityIf you are unsure about a particular doorknob\'s electrical conductivity the best way to find out is to consult the manufacturer or an electrician. Ultimately the answer to the question "Is a doorknob a conductor?" depends on the material from which it is made.


Electrical conductivity of copper?

Copper in one of the most electrically conductive of substances. Few materials have more conductivity. These include platinum, gold, and silver.


What is the physical significance of Nernst-Einstein equation?

The equation relates the electrical conductivity to the diffusivity of its anion and cation constituents. While electrical conductivity is relatively simple to measure, diffusivity is a bit more complicated. Measuring the electrical conductivity of a solution or melt one can study materials properties and interaction.


What two properties of metal make them useful materials for the electrical wiring at home?

Mainly, metals are extremely good conductors of electricity, compared to most other materials.


Electrical conductivity when dissolved in water?

The electrical conductivity of different materials is affected differently when dissolved in water. For example, anhydrous Sodium Chloride changes from a non-conductor to a one when dissolved.


What kind of substances can electric current can flow through?

Elements, compounds, materials with high electrical conductivity.