non-conductor
Definition
- Noun:
- A substance or material that does not readily allow the passage of heat, electricity, or sound. In physics, a non-conductor is the opposite of a conductor, meaning it resists the flow of energy through it.
- Example: Rubber is a non-conductor of electricity, which is why it is used for insulation.
Usage Examples
- (Glass does not transfer heat easily.)
- (Plastic blocks the flow of electricity.)
- (Air does not conduct sound efficiently in a vacuum.)
Advanced Usage
"to act as a non-conductor": to function as a material that prevents the transfer of energy.
- The ceramic coating acts as a non-conductor, protecting the metal from overheating. (The coating blocks heat transfer.)
"non-conductor of heat": a specific phrase used to describe materials that are thermal insulators.
- Wood is a natural non-conductor of heat, making it comfortable to touch even when nearby surfaces are hot. (Wood does not conduct heat well.)
Variants and Related Words
Non-conducting (adj): describing a material that does not conduct electricity or heat.
- The non-conducting layer in the cable prevents short circuits. (The layer blocks electrical flow.)
Non-conductivity (n): the property of being a non-conductor.
- The non-conductivity of plastic makes it ideal for handles on tools. (The property of resisting energy flow.)
Synonyms
- Insulator: a material that resists the passage of heat, electricity, or sound.
- Foam is an excellent insulator for sound. (Foam blocks sound transmission.)
- Dielectric: a non-conductor of electricity, especially one used in capacitors.
- Mica is a common dielectric in electronic components. (Mica blocks electrical flow.)
Related Idioms
- "a poor conductor": a phrase used figuratively to describe something that does not transmit or spread well.
- He is a poor conductor of ideas, always failing to explain them clearly. (He does not effectively share ideas.)
Phrasal Verbs
- None directly related; "non-conductor" is a noun and does not form phrasal verbs.