Ontario Grade 9 Science Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Resource

A conductor is defined as a material that allows the flow of electric current or heat. This is because conductors possess free electrons that can move easily through the material, facilitating the transfer of energy. Metals, such as copper and aluminum, are typical examples of good conductors, allowing electricity to flow efficiently. This property is essential in many applications, including electrical wiring and heating systems, where effective energy transmission is required.

In contrast, materials that do not transmit heat or electricity, such as insulators, serve the opposite purpose and are crucial for preventing unwanted energy flow. Reflective materials, while they can interact with light, do not necessarily have conductive properties. Non-reactive materials, on the other hand, describe substances that do not undergo chemical change easily and are not directly related to their ability to conduct energy.