Why is it that electricity is able to flow through a conductor, but not an insulator?
Conductors have atoms which can easily move throughout the material, and this movement of atoms allows for the flow of electricity. Atoms cannot move within an insulator.
Insulators have atoms which cannot easily move throughout the material, and this lack of movement of atoms prevents the flow of electricity. Atoms can easily move within a conductor.
Conductors have outer valence shell electrons which can easily be removed from an atom, and these electrons allow for the flow of electricity. Electrons cannot be removed or shared between the atoms of an insulator.
Insulators have outer valence shell electrons which cannot easily be removed from an atom, and these electrons prevent the flow of electricity. Electrons can easily be removed or shared between the atoms of a conductor.