Question

Describe the difference between a conductor and an insulator in terms of thermal energy transfer and provide an example of each.

Answer 1

The difference between conductors and insulators is because of electronic structure of atoms and molecules.

 

Anywhere we have free electrons, we have a hard conductor where free electrons help in conduction.

 

In electrolytes, charged Ions do conduction.

 

Dielectrics (or insulators) don't have free electrons current.

 

Free electrons mean, the electrons that are not related with a specific atom, they are allowed to move nearby the crystal lattice.