Which term describes a material that can carry an electric current and may also conduct heat?

Which term describes a material that can carry an electric current and may also conduct heat?

• A. Insulator
• B. Conductor
• C. Semiconductor
• D. Dielectric

Answer: (B)

Materials that can carry an electric current are called conductors. In metals, electrons are loosely bound and move freely, which allows electric current to flow easily. Those same free-moving electrons also transfer energy efficiently, so conductors are typically good at conducting heat as well. An insulator or dielectric resists electric current, so they don’t fit the description. A semiconductor can conduct under certain conditions (like with doping or temperature changes), but not as readily as a true conductor. So the best fit for a material that can carry current and may also conduct heat is conductor.

Materials that can carry an electric current are called conductors. In metals, electrons are loosely bound and move freely, which allows electric current to flow easily. Those same free-moving electrons also transfer energy efficiently, so conductors are typically good at conducting heat as well.

An insulator or dielectric resists electric current, so they don’t fit the description. A semiconductor can conduct under certain conditions (like with doping or temperature changes), but not as readily as a true conductor. So the best fit for a material that can carry current and may also conduct heat is conductor.