Dielectric vs. Conductor — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 1, 2024
Dielectrics insulate against electrical currents, preventing their flow, whereas conductors allow electricity to flow through them easily.
Difference Between Dielectric and Conductor
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Dielectrics are materials that do not allow the free flow of electrical current because they lack free electrons. They are used to store electrical energy in the form of electric fields. On the other hand, conductors contain free electrons that allow electricity to pass through them easily, making them ideal for carrying electric current from one place to another.
Dielectric materials have high resistivity and low conductivity, which means they can resist the flow of electric current while storing electric energy. Conductors, whereas, have low resistivity and high conductivity, facilitating the easy movement of electricity through them.
In the manufacturing of electronic components, dielectrics are often used as insulators or in capacitors to store charge. Conductors, on the other hand, are used to make wires, cables, and other components that need to transport electric current efficiently.
Dielectrics can also exhibit polarization, meaning they can align their molecules in response to an electric field, enhancing their insulating capabilities. Conductors cannot be polarized in this way; instead, they allow the electric field to induce a flow of electrons.
Dielectrics are crucial in preventing the undesired flow of electricity, enhancing safety in electrical systems. Conversely, conductors are essential for the intentional movement of electricity, enabling the functioning of electronic devices and power systems.
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Comparison Chart
Electrical Conductivity
Low to none, does not allow current to flow freely
High, allows current to flow easily
Usage
Insulation, storing electric energy in capacitors
Transmitting electrical power and signals
Resistivity
High, resists electric current
Low, facilitates electric current
Polarization
Can be polarized in an electric field
Cannot be polarized, free electrons move instead
Examples
Plastic, glass, air
Copper, aluminum, gold
Compare with Definitions
Dielectric
High electrical resistivity.
Glass is a dielectric that can resist electrical current effectively.
Conductor
Does not store electrical energy.
Conductors like copper do not store charge but transmit it.
Dielectric
Acts as an electrical insulator.
Air, being a dielectric, serves as a natural insulator against electrical currents.
Conductor
A material that allows electricity to flow through it.
Copper wires are conductors that transmit electricity.
Dielectric
A material that does not conduct electricity.
Plastic is a common dielectric used in insulation.
Conductor
Low electrical resistivity.
Aluminum has a low resistivity, making it an efficient conductor.
Dielectric
Used to store electrical energy.
The capacitor uses a dielectric to store charge.
Conductor
Free electrons allow current flow.
The free electrons in silver make it the best conductor of electricity.
Dielectric
Can be polarized by an electric field.
Water is a dielectric that can become polarized in an electric field.
Conductor
Used in electrical wiring.
Gold, though expensive, is used as a conductor in critical electronics.
Dielectric
In electromagnetism, a dielectric (or dielectric material) is an electrical insulator that can be polarized by an applied electric field. When a dielectric material is placed in an electric field, electric charges do not flow through the material as they do in an electrical conductor, but instead only slightly shift from their average equilibrium positions, causing dielectric polarization.
Conductor
One who is in charge of a railroad train, bus, or streetcar.
Dielectric
A nonconductor of electricity, especially a substance with electrical conductivity of less than a millionth (10-6) of a siemens.
Conductor
(Music) One who directs an orchestra or other such group.
Dielectric
(metamaterial) An electrically insulating or nonconducting material considered for its electric susceptibility, i.e. its property of polarization when exposed to an external electric field.
Conductor
(Physics) A substance or medium that conducts heat, light, sound, or especially an electric charge.
Dielectric
(electrically) insulating
Conductor
A lightning rod, as on a house or barn.
Dielectric
Any substance or medium that transmits the electric force by a process different from conduction, as in the phenomena of induction; a nonconductor, separating a body electrified by induction, from the electrifying body.
Conductor
One who conducts or leads; a guide; a director.
Dielectric
A material such as glass or porcelain with negligible electrical or thermal conductivity
Conductor
(music) A person who conducts an orchestra, choir or other music ensemble; a professional whose occupation is conducting.
Conductor
(rail transport) A person who takes tickets on public transportation and also helps passengers.
Train conductor
Tram conductor
Conductor
(physics) Something that can transmit electricity, heat, light, or sound.
Conductor
(mathematics) An ideal of a ring that measures how far it is from being integrally closed
Conductor
A grooved sound or staff used for directing instruments, such as lithontriptic forceps; a director.
Conductor
(architecture) A leader.
Conductor
One who, or that which, conducts; a leader; a commander; a guide; a manager; a director.
Zeal, the blind conductor of the will.
Conductor
One in charge of a public conveyance, as of a railroad train or a street car.
Conductor
The leader or director of an orchestra or chorus.
Conductor
A substance or body capable of being a medium for the transmission of certain forces, esp. heat or electricity; specifically, a lightning rod.
Conductor
A grooved sound or staff used for directing instruments, as lithontriptic forceps, etc.; a director.
Conductor
Same as Leader.
Conductor
The person who leads a musical group
Conductor
A device designed to transmit electricity, heat, etc.
Conductor
A substance that readily conducts e.g. electricity and heat
Conductor
The person who collects fares on a public conveyance
Common Curiosities
Can dielectrics conduct electricity?
No, dielectrics do not conduct electricity under normal conditions; they are used to prevent the flow of electric current.
How does a conductor work?
A conductor works by allowing free electrons to move easily, facilitating the flow of electric current through the material.
Why are dielectrics used in capacitors?
Dielectrics are used in capacitors to store electrical energy in the form of an electric field, enhancing the capacitor's storage capacity.
Do dielectrics have any conductivity?
Dielectrics have very low to no conductivity; their main role is insulation, not conducting electricity.
How does polarization affect dielectrics?
Polarization enhances the insulating capabilities of dielectrics by aligning their molecules in response to an electric field.
What makes a good conductor?
A good conductor has low electrical resistivity and a high number of free electrons, allowing electricity to flow through it easily.
Why can’t conductors store electrical energy?
Conductors can’t store electrical energy because they allow electricity to flow through them instead of storing it.
How do conductors and dielectrics differ in electrical systems?
Conductors are used to transport electricity, while dielectrics are used to insulate and prevent the flow of electric current.
What is a dielectric?
A dielectric is a material that does not conduct electricity, often used as an insulator or in capacitors to store electrical energy.
Can a material be both a conductor and a dielectric?
No, a material cannot be both a conductor and a dielectric as these properties are mutually exclusive.
Are all metals conductors?
Yes, most metals are conductors due to their free electrons that allow electricity to flow through them.
Why are dielectrics important in electronic devices?
Dielectrics are important in electronic devices for insulation, preventing short circuits and storing charge in capacitors.
What is the difference between a conductor and an insulator?
A conductor allows electricity to flow through it easily, while an insulator (or dielectric) prevents the flow of electric current.
What are some common uses of conductors?
Common uses of conductors include electrical wiring, components in electronic devices, and transmission lines.
What is the role of conductors in electronic devices?
Conductors are used to make connections and transport electricity within electronic devices, ensuring their functionality.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
