Which term describes a material that does not easily allow electricity to flow?

• A. Insulator
• B. Conductor
• C. Ground
• D. Battery

Answer: (A)

Electricity moves more easily through materials that let electrons flow; when a material resists that flow, it is an insulator. Insulators have electrons that are tightly held, so they don’t provide an easy path for current. That’s why insulating materials are used to cover wires and equipment—to prevent shocks and keep electrical paths from unintended contacts. The term that describes a material that does not readily allow electricity to flow is insulator. Other terms describe different concepts: a conductor allows current to pass easily, a ground is a return path to earth, and a battery is a source of electrical energy, not a material property.