Definition:Electrical Conductor
Definition
An electrical conductor is a type of substance which allows a flow of electric charge to pass through it.
This is because a certain proportion of the electrons are not attached to any atom in particular, and can be induced to move through the substance under the influence of an electric field.
Also known as
When it is clear from the context that electricity is under discussion, it is usual to refer just to a conductor.
Examples
Metal
A metal is a substance which is characterised by the fact that its atoms have a number of conduction electrons.
These are electrons which are able to flow more or less freely through the substance.
This gives rise to an electric current.
The atoms themselves, positively charged, remain fixed.
Electrolyte
An electrolyte is a liquid which is characterised by the fact that its molecules are easily ionized into positively charged and negatively charged ions.
These are free to move independently of each other, and hence move through the liquid under the influence of a potential difference.
This gives rise to an electric current.
Also see
- Results about electrical conductors can be found here.
Sources
- 1958: C.A. Coulson: Electricity (5th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text {I}$: Preliminary Survey: $\S 2$. Electric currents