Conductors for Class 6: Materials That Let Electricity Flow Easily

Conductors are materials that allow electricity to flow through them easily. From electric wires to household appliances, conductors help in the smooth flow of electric current. Have you ever wondered how a bulb lights up instantly when you switch it on or how your phone charges so quickly? The secret lies in conductors.

In this article, we will learn what are conductors, examples of the best conductors of electricity, and how to test conductors using simple activities.

Table of Contents

• Did You Know?
• What are Conductors?
• How do we test Conductors?
• Common Examples of Conductors Around Us

Did You Know?

Impure water can also conduct electricity Graphite (a form of carbon) is a non-metal, but it still conducts electricity Pencil lead is made of graphite and can conduct electricity

What are Conductors?

For making simple circuits, we use copper or aluminium wires because they allow the current to flow through them easily.

“Materials that allow electricity to flow through them are called conductors of electricity.”

You might wonder after knowing that, almost all metals, such as copper, aluminium, iron and gold, are conductors. Conductors have an important role in our lives. They are used to make electric wires and other parts of electric appliances that involve the conduction of electricity.

How Do We Test Conductors?

We can test whether a material is the best conductor of electricity using a simple electric circuit. Let's try to understand it through a simple activity. 

Easy Activity to Test a Best Conductor of Electricity

Aim: To test whether a given material is a conductor of electricity. Materials Required: Small torch bulb, three insulated electric wires, 1.5 V electric cell, Plastic tape, Steel spoon, Coin, and an iron nail Diagram: Procedure: Connect a bulb, an electric cell, and wires using plastic tape to form a simple electric circuit as shown in the setup. Leave two free ends of the wires open. Let us call them Terminal A and Terminal B. Hold the wires carefully without touching the exposed metallic parts. Touch both terminals (A and B) to the material you want to test. Make sure both wire ends are in contact with the material at the same time so that the circuit is completed. Observe the bulb carefully. Observation: If the bulb glows, it means the material allows electric current to pass through it and is a conductor of electricity. If the bulb does not glow, the material is an insulator. Conclusion: A material is identified as a conductor of electricity if it allows current to pass through it and makes the bulb glow. If the bulb does not glow, the material does not allow current to pass through it and is called an insulator.

Common Examples of Conductors Around Us

Conductors are all around us, often in places we don’t notice. Metals like gold, copper, silver, mercury, brass, aluminium, steel, and iron are commonly used in wires and appliances. Graphite (a form of carbon) is a non-metal, yet it conducts electricity.

Have you ever noticed that even natural things can conduct electricity? The human body contains water and salts, so it can conduct electricity. Also, Earth acts as a conductor and is used in earthing systems for safety.

So, in simple words, conductors are not just limited to wires or metals. They are present everywhere around us, in objects, in nature, and even within our own bodies.

Uses of Conductors in Daily Life

Moving further, let’s see how conductors are used in our daily lives.

• Electric Wires: Copper and aluminium are used to make wires that carry electricity.
• Electrical Appliances: Devices like fans, televisions, and chargers use conductors to work.
• Batteries and Cells: Graphite rods are used in dry cells.
• Earthing Systems: The earth acts as a conductor to safely pass excess electricity.

And so far, we’ve seen that conductors are materials that allow electricity to flow easily. We also studied how conductors play a very important role in our daily lives. From lighting a bulb to charging a phone, they help electricity move smoothly and safely everywhere around us.