Photo: LEDs are much smaller than lamp bulbs and use a fraction as much energy. Move throughout the whole material, carrying electricity as they go. Packed inside a box) and some of their electrons remain free to In metals,įor example, atoms form a crystalline structure (a bit like equal-sized marbles But in a conductor theĪtoms are bound together in a different kind of structure. They're notįree to move about and conduct electricity. In something like a plastic, the electrons in atoms are fully occupied bindingĪtoms into molecules and holding the molecules together. Solids are joined together when their atoms What's the difference between a conductor and an insulator? Plastics and wood are typical insulators. Such as copper and gold are examples of good conductors, while

That barely let electricity flow at all, known as insulators. There are some that let electricityįlow through them fairly well, known as conductors, The difference between conductors and insulatorsįall broadly into two categories.

The difference between conductors and insulators.

How the led bulb works