CONDUCTORS AND INSULATORS

Background

One thing that makes electricity useful is that not all materials conduct electricity. Materials that do not conduct electricity are called insulators.

Materials Needed

1 battery in holder
1 breadboard
1 light bulb
2 wires with washers 		bag-o-stuff
wires with clips
push pins

Procedure

1. Build the simple circuit shown in the schematic below. If you do it correctly, the bulb will light.

2. Replace one of the wires with the 2 wires with clips as shown below.

3. Complete the circuit by clipping each of the materials in the bag-o-stuff between the clips.

4. Figure out which materials are conductors and which are insulators. List the materials in the following chart and check the appropriate column. How will you be able to tell which are conductors and which are insulators?

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Question

How would you summarize what sort of materials are insulators and which are conductors?

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