Name:
Date:
Period:
Conductor or Insulator Lab
Background Information:
When electrons move from place to place, an electric current is created. Not all materials allow electrons
to flow through them. Materials that allow electrons to flow freely are called conductors. Materials that
do not allow electrons to flow freely are called insulators.
In this investigation you will test some common materials and determine which are electrical conductors
and which insulators.
Pre-Lab Questions:
1.
Using the materials list below list the conductors versus insulators.
Insulators
Conductors
Materials:
 1.5V Dry Cell
 1.5V Lamp With Sockets
 3 Connecting Wires
Procedure:
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Penny (Copper)
Paper
Wax
Glass
Aluminum Foil
Plastic
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Paper Clip
Wood
Rubber
Cloth
Pencil Lead (Carbon)
Nickel (Silver)
1. Set up a dry cell, lamp and connecting wires as shown in figure bellow
2. Keep the ends of the two test wires about 2cm apart. Bring the ends of the wires into
contact with each of the test materials to be tested. Record your observations in the
data table.
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Data Table
Material
Bright
Dim
No Light
Copper
Silver
Paper
Wax
Glass
Aluminum Foil
Plastic
Paper Clip
Wood
Rubber
Cloth
Carbon
Going Further Strip about 8cm of wood away from one side of a pencil to expose the lead core inside the
pencil. Hold the two ends of your test wires as far apart as possible and touch them to the lead core.
Slowly move the wires closer together and observe what happens to the lamp. Record your observations
explain what you think is happening.
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Analysis
1. Which of the materials you tested are good conductors of electricity?
2. Which of the materials you tested are insulators of electricity?
3. Are metals electrical conductors or insulators?
4. Are nonmetals electrical conductors or insulators?
5. What does this say about the particles of a conductor?
6. Why is most electrical wiring, such as the connecting wires used in the investigation made of
copper?
Conclusion Questions:
1. Why would civil engineers, or others designing a structure, be very familiar with insulators and
conductors?
2. Why do you think saltwater can light a bulb, but distilled water cannot?
3. Given two lengths of metal wire, which one will have the least electrical resistance: one that is
short, or one that is long?
4. What is the difference between materials classified as conductors versus those classified as
insulators, in the electrical sense of these words?
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