| Conductor | Insulator | Semiconductor |
|---|---|---|
| The conductivity of conductor is very high. | The conductivity of insulator is very low. | The conductivity of semiconductor is moderate. |
| It has very low resistivity. | It has very high resistivity. | It has moderate resistivity. |
| It has no forbidden gap. | It has large forbidden gap. | It has small forbidden gap. |
| Conductor has positive temperature coefficient of resistance. | Insulator has negative temperature coefficient of resistance. | Semiconductor has negative temperature coefficient of resistance |
| In conductor, both the effect of resistance and temperature are increases | In insulator, effect of resistance is decreases and effect of temperature is increases. | In semiconductor, effect of resistance is decreases and effect of temperature is increases. |
| There is large number of electrons available for conduction. | There is small number of electrons available for conduction. | There is moderate number of electrons available for conduction. |
| Examples: Metals, aluminium, copper. |
Paper, Mica glass. | Silicon, Germanium. |
Conductor and Insulator