Electrical Properties of soilds
Solids exhibit electrical conductivities that extend from 27 orders of magnitude ranging from 10–20 to 107 ohm–1 m–1.
Conductors:
- Solids with conductivities ranging between 104 to 107 ohm–1m–1 are conductors.
- Metals have conductivities in the order of 107 ohm–1m–1 are good conductors.
- For example, Iron, Copper, Aluminum.
Fig. Metal is used at the tip of the plug that is inserted into the socket
Insulators:
- Solids with very low conductivities ranging between 10–20 to 10–10 ohm–1m–1.
- For example, Wood, plastic, cloth, glass.
Fig. Wood and plastics are also solids but are insulators
A man touching the electric pole with a metal rod will get an electric shock because metal rod is a conductor whereas a man touching the same with a wooden plank will be safe because wood is an insulator.
- Semiconductors:
- Solids with conductivities in the intermediate range from 10–6 to 104 ohm–1 m–1.
- For example, Gallium, Germanium, Silicon
