Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Electrical conductivity refers to the ability of a material to conduct electric current. It is a measure of how easily electrons can flow through a substance.
Resistivity is the opposite of electrical conductivity and measures how much a material resists the flow of electric current.
Superconductor: A superconductor is a material with zero electrical resistance, allowing for perfect conduction of electricity.
Semiconductor: A semiconductor is a material that has intermediate electrical conductivity between conductors and insulators. It can be controlled to behave as either an insulator or conductor by adding impurities or applying voltage.