conductor

views updated Jun 11 2018

con·duc·tor / kənˈdəktər/ • n. 1. a person who directs the performance of an orchestra or choir.2. a person in charge of a train, streetcar, or other public conveyance, who collects fares and sells tickets.3. Physics a material or device that conducts or transmits heat, electricity, or sound, esp. when regarded in terms of its capacity to do this. ∎ another term for lightning rod. DERIVATIVES: con·duc·to·ri·al / ˌkänˌdəkˈtôrēəl; kən-/ adj.con·duc·tor·ship / ship/ n. (in sense 1).

conductor

views updated May 21 2018

conductor Substance or object that allows easy passage of free electrons. Conductors have low electrical resistance that opposes the flow. Metals, the best conductors, have free electrons that become an electric current when moved. The resistance of metal conductors increases with temperature because the lattice vibrations of atoms increase and scatter the free electrons.

conductor

views updated Jun 27 2018

conductor Substance or object that allows easy passage of free electrons. Conductors have low electrical resistance that opposes the flow. Metals, the best conductors, have free electrons that become an electric current when moved. The resistance of metal conductors increases with temperature because the lattice vibrations of atoms increase and scatter the free electrons.

conductor

views updated May 11 2018

conductor (kŏn-duk-ter) n.
1. (in physics) a substance capable of transmitting heat (e.g. copper, silver) or electricity.

2. (in surgery) a grooved surgical director.

About this article

conductor

All Sources -
Updated Aug 08 2016 About encyclopedia.com content Print Topic