Is Air a Conductor or Insulator? | Carbon Conductors & Insulators

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter AHobo
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Conductors Insulators
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Air is primarily an insulator under normal conditions, but its conductivity can increase with humidity, as water vapor enhances ion mobility. Carbon, in its various forms, exhibits both conductive and insulating properties depending on its structure; for instance, graphene is an excellent electrical conductor, while other forms like carbon black can act as insulators. The context of conductivity—whether electrical or thermal—significantly influences the discussion, as different applications require different considerations of carbon's properties.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrical conductivity and insulation principles
  • Familiarity with the properties of carbon allotropes, including graphene
  • Knowledge of the effects of humidity on air conductivity
  • Basic concepts of thermal conductivity
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the electrical conductivity of graphene and its applications
  • Explore the impact of humidity on air's conductive properties
  • Investigate the thermal conductivity of various carbon forms
  • Study the differences between electrical and thermal conductors and insulators
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics or materials science, electrical engineers, and professionals involved in the development of conductive materials.

AHobo
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Is air a conductor or insulator? Does it matter about humidity?

Also, is all forms of carbon insulators or conductors?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Are you talking about electrical or thermal conductor/insulator? If it is the former, do you care at what potential difference range where it has such behavior? And what forms of carbon are you considering ("all" is rather vague if you intend to include graphene).

Zz.
 
actually don't worry
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
21
Views
5K
Replies
4
Views
662
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
1K