Turning a conductor into an insulator

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the theoretical possibility of transforming a conductor into an insulator by utilizing a capacitor to store all free electrons in a circuit wire. It concludes that while removing free electrons could render the wire non-conductive, the fundamental conductive properties of materials cannot be altered without changing their Z index. Additionally, heating the wire increases its resistance, further impacting conductivity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic electrical concepts, including conductors and insulators.
  • Knowledge of capacitors and their function in electrical circuits.
  • Familiarity with the concept of electron mobility in conductive materials.
  • Basic principles of resistance and how temperature affects it.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the relationship between electron mobility and conductivity in different materials.
  • Explore the effects of temperature on resistance in conductors.
  • Study the Z index and its role in determining material properties.
  • Investigate advanced capacitor designs and their potential applications in electrical circuits.
USEFUL FOR

Electrical engineers, physicists, and students interested in material science and electrical properties of conductors and insulators.

IssacBinary
Messages
93
Reaction score
0
This is just a hypothetical questions, but...

Would it be possible to have a capacitor so large that its able to store all the free electrons in the wire in the circuit its attached to?

Then, this would mean all the free electrons have been removed from the wire, thus making the wire non conductive...an insulator?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
No matter how positive a charged wire or plate becomes it does not become an insulator. It attracts electrons, so once electrons become available they immediately start to partially fill the valence level.

The only way to change the conductive properties is to change the Z index therefore changing the material.
 
If you heat the wire up its resistance will go up significantly.
 

Similar threads

Heating of a conductor (1000 turn coil)
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
Gauss' Law: Conductor, Insulator, Electric Field
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
Undergrad Can the Last Maxwell's Equation Explain Polarization of a Wire's Insulator?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad Would aluminium foil increase copper tubing insulation?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Conductor with high electron mobility (mean free path)
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
561
Undergrad Can I Apply Voltage to Non-Conducting Plates?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
High School Basic thermal energy transfer physics: Insulation value in open airways vs sealed airways
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
754
Challenging the 'Insulation Protects Against Burst Pipes' Theory
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
How does a simple circuit work?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
1K
Undergrad Direct and alternating current, a personal approach to understand them
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K