What determines if a material is a good conductor or insulator?

Answer 1

The electrical conductivity of a material is determined by the ability of its atoms or molecules to pass electrons easily from one to another. Materials with atoms that easily give up or accept electrons are good conductors, while materials with atoms that tightly hold on to their electrons are good insulators. Additionally, the structure and arrangement of atoms in a material can also affect its conductivity. Materials with a crystalline structure tend to be better conductors than those with an amorphous or disordered structure. Temperature also plays a role, as higher temperatures generally increase the conductivity of a material.