EVERYDAY MATERIALSAtlas
Material behaviour

Conductivity

Give heat or charge a route.

What it means

Electrical conductivity describes how readily a material carries electric current. Thermal conductivity describes how readily it transfers heat. These properties are related in many metals but are not interchangeable measurements. Purity, temperature and structure influence both. A semiconductor needs an additional explanation of controlled charge transport.

Look for it in everyday life.

Copper carries current in a wire; aluminium spreads heat in some cookware.

Meet it in a material.

Aluminium

Light enough to carry. Adaptable enough to shape.

Metals

Copper

A quiet network of heat and electricity.

Metals

Tin

A thin coating or a tiny electrical joint.

Metals

Gold

A precious surface for a reliable contact.

Metals

Graphite

From a pencil mark to a battery electrode.

Elements & minerals

Silicon

The carefully controlled crystal inside electronics.

Elements & minerals

Alumina

An electrical insulator that can also carry heat.

Glass & ceramics

Silver

A bright surface and a route for current.

Metals

Nichrome

A wire whose resistance is the point.

Metals

Follow the evidence

Original explanations informed by the sources below. Technical and industry sources support material behaviour; industry environmental marketing is not treated as a universal comparison. Read our editorial method.