Final answer:
A conductor is a material that allows free movement of electrical charge, reaching electrostatic equilibrium swiftly in response to external electric fields. Metals like copper are typical examples of conductors, used in applications such as electrical wiring.
Step-by-step explanation:
A conductor is a material that allows electrons to move separately from their atomic orbits, which means that electrical charge can move freely within it. This characteristic allows the conductor to reach a state known as electrostatic equilibrium quickly when excess charge is placed on it or when it is exposed to a static electric field. A common example of a conductor is metal, like copper or silver, which is widely used for electrical wiring due to its excellent conductive properties.
In contrast, an insulator is a material that does not allow charge to flow easily, holding charge fixed in place. Examples include rubber and glass. Insulators are utilized to protect us from the unintended flow of electricity and to make handling of electrical devices safer.
To understand the practical application of conductors in day-to-day life, one can look at the household electrical cords, where the copper wire inside is the conductor that carries electrical current, and the plastic or rubber coating is the insulator that prevents electric shocks.