Name:______________________________________
Conductors and Insulators 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 items are electrical conductors
and which insulators.
Problem: Which materials are conductors and which are insulators?
Materials:
● 2 D Cell Batteries
● Light Bulb with Socket
● 3 Connecting Wires
● Test Materials
Procedure:
1. Set up a battery, bulb, and connecting wires as shown in figure 1. Have your teacher check your
setup before proceeding.
Figure 1
2. Keep the ends of the two test wires about 2 cm 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.
3. After you have tested all of the materials, disconnect the wires from the batteries.
Observations:
Material
Bright
Dim
Copper
Silver (Jewelry)
Paper
Wax
Glass
Aluminum Foil
Plastic
Paper Clip
Wood
Rubber
Cloth
Carbon (Pencil Lead)
Analyze Data:
1. Which of the materials you tested are good conductors of electricity?
2. Which of the materials you tested are insulators of electricity?
Conclusion Questions
No Light
1. Are metals electrical conductors or insulators? Explain using information from your data table.
2. Are non-metals electrical conductors or insulators? Explain using information from your data
table.
3. Why is most electrical wiring, such as the connecting wires used in the investigation, made of
copper?
4. Provide some other examples of objects that are electrical conductors and some that are electrical
insulators. These examples should not include any of the materials you tested during the lab.
5. Why were the wires in your circuit wrapped with rubber?