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Diamond is a good thermal conductor. But it is an excellent electrical insulator. How?
Diamond crystal is a three-dimensional network of carbon atoms. All carbon atoms in the network are strongly bonded by carbon-carbon covalent bonds.
The diamond crystal has a highly symmetric cubic structure. The carbon atoms in diamond are precisely aligned. Thus diamond is an ideal crystal. Atoms in the crystal lattices in solids vibrate.
These vibrations, called the atomic vibrations facilitate thermal conduction (transport of heat) in solids. In an ideal crystal, the lattices are so precisely aligned that they do not interact with each other.
Therefore an ideal crystal conducts better than a non-ideal crystal resulting in ideal crystals having good thermal conductivity, which is a measure of heat conduction. Diamond being an ideal crystal is thus a good thermal conductor.
Mobile electrons facilitate electrical conduction - flow of current in solids. There are no free mobile electrons in diamond crystal to facilitate electrial conduction. Thus diamond is an excellent electrical insulator. In more simple terms, Diamond has a unique atomic structure. Each of the Carbon atom's valence electrons is taken up in covalent bonding, so each electron is localised. This means that no one electron is free to pass an electric current through the Diamond - thus, Diamond cannot carry an electrical current; there is nothing to pass the current through.
What else can I help you with?
In physics what's the opposite of insulator?
The opposite of an insulator in physics is a conductor. Conductors allow electrical current to flow easily, while insulators inhibit the flow of current.
Can something be an insulator and a conductor?
No, a material cannot be both an insulator and a conductor at the same time. Insulators have high resistance to electrical flow, while conductors have low resistance.
Why does an electrical cord need both a conductor and a insulator?
The conductor carries the electrical current while the insulator prevents the current from leaking out and causing electric shocks or fires. Both components are necessary for the safe and efficient transmission of electricity.
A wooden spoon is it a insulator or a conductor?
A wooden spoon is an insulator because wood does not conduct electricity well. This means that it does not allow electrical current to flow through it easily, making it safe to use in the kitchen while cooking.
What is an electrical insulator an conductor?
An electrical insulator is a material that does not conduct electricity, meaning it prevents the flow of electrical current. Examples include rubber, glass, and plastic. In contrast, an electrical conductor is a material that allows the flow of electrical current, such as metals like copper and aluminum.
In physics what's the opposite of insulator?
The opposite of an insulator in physics is a conductor. Conductors allow electrical current to flow easily, while insulators inhibit the flow of current.
Can something be an insulator and a conductor?
No, a material cannot be both an insulator and a conductor at the same time. Insulators have high resistance to electrical flow, while conductors have low resistance.
Why does an electrical cord need both a conductor and a insulator?
The conductor carries the electrical current while the insulator prevents the current from leaking out and causing electric shocks or fires. Both components are necessary for the safe and efficient transmission of electricity.
A wooden spoon is it a insulator or a conductor?
A wooden spoon is an insulator because wood does not conduct electricity well. This means that it does not allow electrical current to flow through it easily, making it safe to use in the kitchen while cooking.
Diamond is an insulator while graphite conducts electricity?
Diamond is considered the hardest mineral known to man, while graphite is one of the softest. Diamond is an excellent electrical insulator, while graphite is a good conductor of electricity. This is due to the way the carbon atoms are arranged in each mineral.
Is cheese a conductor?
No, cheese is not a conductor of electricity. Conductors are materials that allow electrical current to pass through them easily, while cheese is an insulator and does not conduct electricity.
What is an electrical insulator an conductor?
An electrical insulator is a material that does not conduct electricity, meaning it prevents the flow of electrical current. Examples include rubber, glass, and plastic. In contrast, an electrical conductor is a material that allows the flow of electrical current, such as metals like copper and aluminum.
What is the oppersit of insulator?
The opposite of insulator is conductor.
Is grass and insulator?
Grass is not considered an electrical insulator; it can conduct electricity to some degree, especially when wet. While it has lower conductivity compared to metals, moisture can enhance its ability to conduct electricity. Therefore, while grass may not be a good conductor, it does not function as a true insulator.
What do you call something that allows heat or electricity to pass through it?
A material that allows heat or electricity to pass through it is called a conductor. Conductors have high electrical and thermal conductivity, enabling them to carry electrical current or transfer heat effectively.
What is the difference between conductor and insulater?
A conductor allows the flow of electrical current due to its high conductivity, such as metals. An insulator, on the other hand, inhibits the flow of electrical current due to its high resistance, such as rubber or plastic. Conductors are used to transmit electricity, while insulators are used to prevent the unwanted flow of electricity.
7 Give examples of a conductor and an insulator?
If we speak in terms of electrical conductivity, some good insulators are ceramics, plastics, rubber and glass. Conductors are, on the other hand, metals in general: copper, silver, gold, but there are some good conductors that are not metals, like graphite and some salt solutions.
