Materials have ability to conduct electricity {conductivity}|.
conductor
Conductor molecules can have half-filled electron energy level, so electrons can jump to same energy level in neighboring molecules. Metallic crystals are conductors.
semiconductor
Semiconductor molecules can have energy level filled with electrons and slightly higher empty energy level, so electrons can jump into neighboring molecules at normal temperatures. Covalently bonded crystals are semiconductors.
insulator
Insulator molecules can have energy level filled with electrons and much higher empty energy level, so electrons cannot jump into neighboring molecules at normal temperatures. Ionic crystals and hydrogen-bonded crystals like ice, hydrogen fluoride, and proteins are insulators. Insulators are typically transparent.
Physical Sciences>Chemistry>Inorganic>Phase
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Date Modified: 2022.0224