Differentiate between conductor and insulator. What are convection currents?

Dear Student
Differences between a conductor and insulator

1. A conductor allows flow of electric current through it when a potential difference is applied across its ends while an insulator does not conduct electricity unless vert very high potential difference is applied across its ends.

2. A good conductor of electricity is generally a good conductor of heat, insulators do not conduct heat too.

3. Conductors have free electrons on its surface, insulators have bounded electrons on its surface.

Example of conductor: Silver (Ag), Copper (Cu), Aluminum (Al)

Examples of insulators: Ebonite, Sulphur, Poly-vinyl Chloride.  


Convection Currents
Here current refers to the flow of air from one point to another while convection refers to the way it does so.In  convection current the particles (atoms or molecules) of the fluid substance move. The motion is caused due to difference of heat and the gravity plays a role in the direction of motion of the particles. Particles with more heat energy will move up since they are less dense.

Regards