Final answer:
Insulators are characterized by their tightly bound electrons, which substantially impede the movement of electrical charge. Their non-conductive nature distinguishes them from conductors, such as metals, which permit free charge flow. Dielectrics are a type of insulator that can become polarized in an electric field.
Step-by-step explanation:
The property that insulators demonstrate, which greatly hinders the movement of electrical charge, is that they have tightly bound electrons that do not move freely. This essential characteristic of insulators means that electrons and ions are bound in the structure and cannot move easily, which can be up to 1023 times more slowly than in conductors. Unlike conductors, where electric charges like electrons can move about freely, insulators keep their charges in place. For example, glass is a classic insulator material, as are pure water and dry table salt, while conductive materials include molten salt and salty water.
Dielectrics are a special class of insulators that become polarized in an electric field but still prevent charge from freely moving through them. This polarization occurs because the electric field induces a separation of positive and negative charges within the insulator material, aligning the charges without allowing an actual current to flow.