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Question
Distinguish between good conductors, resistors and insulators. Name two good conductors, two resistance and two insulators.
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Solution
Substances that conduct electricity easily and offer very low resistance (opposition) to the flow of current are called good conductors. Examples: copper, silver
A resistor is an electrical component that limits or regulates the flow of electrical current in an electronic circuit. Resistors have comparatively high electrical resistance. Examples: constanan, nichrome
The substances that have infinitely high electrical resistance are called insulators. Examples: wood, rubber
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RELATED QUESTIONS
On what factors does the resistance of a conductor depend?
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Which among iron and mercury is a better conductor?
Table give below Electrical resistivity of some substances at 20°C
| Electrical resistivity of some substances at 20°C | ||
| − | Material | Resistivity (Ω m) |
| Conductors |
Silver | 1.60 × 10−8 |
| Copper | 1.62 × 10−8 | |
| Aluminium | 2.63 × 10−8 | |
| Tungsten | 5.20 × 10−8 | |
| Nickel | 6.84 × 10−8 | |
| Iron | 10.0 × 10−8 | |
| Chromium | 12.9 × 10−8 | |
| Mercury | 94.0 × 10−8 | |
| Manganese | 1.84 × 10−6 | |
| Alloys |
Constantan (alloy of Cu and Ni) |
49 × 10−6 |
| Manganin (alloy of Cu, Mn and Ni) |
44 × 10−6 | |
| Nichrome (alloy of Ni, Cr, Mn and Fe) |
100 × 10−6 | |
| Insulators | Glass | 1010 − 1014 |
| Hard rubber | 1013 − 1016 | |
| Ebonite | 1015 − 1017 | |
| Diamond | 1012 − 1013 | |
| Paper (dry) | 1012 | |
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