Insulator Definition
An insulator is a material that electricity cannot easily flow through. For example, plastic coating on wires stops electricity transfer.
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Electricity & Circuits
Fun Facts
- Wood, rubber, and glass are examples of insulators.
- Wires in electronic devices are usually wrapped in a plastic insulator to prevent the energy from being transferred.
- Insulators could be put around power lines to prevent birds and other animals from being shocked.
Why Do We Need To Know About Insulator
Learning about insulators helps you understand how they keep us safe and why they’re important for things like kitchen appliances. For example, the plastic on electric wires stops you from getting shocked, showing how insulators are used to keep electricity under control.
This is really useful for jobs in electrical engineering. Engineers use this knowledge to make all sorts of things, from electric cars to artificial limbs, proving how insulators are key in lots of modern inventions that help people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out the Full Lesson on Electricity & Circuits
In this lesson, we learn that:
- Electricity is the flow of electrical energy from one place to another.
- Electricity flows through conductors, but it cannot flow through insulators.
- A closed circuit is needed for electricity to flow and power our electronics.
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