Question

Class 10PhysicsElectricity

Why does current flow in iron but not in wood (both have electrons)?

Verified Answer

 

Iron (Conductor)

Wood (Insulator)

Electron type

Free electrons (loosely held, roam freely)

Bound electrons (tightly held to atoms)

Under voltage

Electrons drift → current flows

Electrons can't move → no current

Iron has free conduction electrons that drift under applied voltage. Wood's electrons are all tightly bound they cannot move even under a potential difference, so no current flows.