Insulators are the only materials that can hold electrons stationary.

Insulators are the only materials that can hold electrons stationary.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Sometimes

Answer: (A)

Electrons flow or stay put based on how easily they can move through a material. Insulators have electrons that are tightly bound to atoms, so there are very few free charge carriers to drift when a voltage is applied. Because of this, insulators resist current and can keep electrons effectively stationary. In contrast, conductors contain many free electrons that respond readily to an electric field, so charges don’t stay localized there. So, under normal conditions, insulators are the ones that hold electrons in place, making the statement true. (Extreme conditions or defects can alter this, but the general idea stands.)

Electrons flow or stay put based on how easily they can move through a material. Insulators have electrons that are tightly bound to atoms, so there are very few free charge carriers to drift when a voltage is applied. Because of this, insulators resist current and can keep electrons effectively stationary. In contrast, conductors contain many free electrons that respond readily to an electric field, so charges don’t stay localized there. So, under normal conditions, insulators are the ones that hold electrons in place, making the statement true. (Extreme conditions or defects can alter this, but the general idea stands.)