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==The Structure of an Atom Determines its Electrical Characteristics==

==The Structure of an Atom Determines its Electrical Characteristics==

Although there are many possible ways protons and electrons could group themselves, they assemble in specific combinations that result in stable arrangement. Each stable arrangement of protons, electrons, and often [[neutron]]s makes one particular kind of atom, an [[element]]. Electrons orbit the nucleus of protons and neutrons at specific intervals, called "shells" or "energy levels." Each shell has a maximum number of electrons for stability. If an element's outermost shell has its maximum number of electrons, it is considered chemically inactive. [[Helium]], [[neon]], [[argon]], [[krypton]], [[xenon]], and [[radon]] have this characteristic; since there are no free electrons in their outermost shell, they would, in theory, make the best insulators.

Although there are many possible ways protons and electrons could group themselves, they assemble in specific combinations that result in stable arrangement. Each stable arrangement of protons, electrons, and often [[neutron]]s makes one particular kind of atom, an [[element]]. Electrons orbit the nucleus of protons and neutrons at specific intervals, called "shells" or "energy levels." Each shell has a maximum number of electrons for stability. If an element's outermost shell has its maximum number of electrons, it is considered chemically inactive. [[Helium]], [[neon]], [[argon]], [[krypton]], [[xenon]], and [[radon]] have this characteristic; since there are no free electrons in their outermost shell, they would, in theory, make "perfect" insulators.

It is the structure of the outermost shell of electrons in an element that determines how well it conducts electricity. If an element has fewer than eight electrons in its outermost shell, it can conduct electricity; the elements that have one electron in their outermost shell conduct electricity best. [[Gold]], [[silver]], and [[copper]] are the best conductors of electricity because their outermost electron shell has only one electron, and this allows the freest flow of electrical current because the opposition of an atom of these elements from taking on or loosing electrons is low.

It is the structure of the outermost shell of electrons in an element that determines how well it conducts electricity. If an element has fewer than eight electrons in its outermost shell, it can conduct electricity; the elements that have one electron in their outermost shell conduct electricity best. [[Gold]], [[silver]], and [[copper]] are the best conductors of electricity because their outermost electron shell has only one electron, and this allows the freest flow of electrical current because the opposition of an atom of these elements from taking on or loosing electrons is low.

Materials with electrons that tend to stay in their own orbits are called insulators, because they do not conduct electricity very well. However, these materials (except for the inert gases) can also take up extra electrons to complete their outer shells, and become negatively charged; they hold on to and store electrical charge.

Materials with electrons that tend to stay in their own orbits are called insulators, because they do not conduct electricity very well. However, these materials (except for the inert gases) can also take up extra electrons to complete their outer shells, and become negatively charged; they hold on to and store electrical charge, unlike conductors. Insulating materials like glass, plastic, rubber, paper, air, and mica are called dielectrics, meaning that they can take on and hold electrical charge. Insulators are useful when it is necessary to prevent current flow. They are also used in applications  for storing electrical charge, as in capacitors, since a good conductor of electricity cannot store any charge.