Operation Game

Step 9 About Conductors, Insulators, and Resistors

In the next step, you will add a bottom panel to your game, wrapping it in aluminum foil. Aluminum and other metals are very good at carrying electricity in circuits- these materials are known as conductors (Figure). Other materials do not carry electricity very well at all- these materials are known as insulators. Good insulators include certain types of plastic and rubber. The power cords for household electrical appliances, such as lamps and fans, have a conductor inside (usually copper) that is coated with a plastic insulator. This way, electricity can flow through the cord, but it cannot escape from the circuit if the cord comes in contact with another conductor (like your hand!)