Solids
Aluminum
Movie
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When a piece of solid aluminum metal completes the electrical circuit, the light bulb lights brightly.
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Zinc
Movie
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When a piece of solid zinc metal completes the electrical circuit, the light bulb lights brightly.
(33)
Sulfur
Movie
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When the nonmetal sulfur touches wires connected to a battery and light bulb, the bulb does not light. Sulfur is not a conductor.
(33)
Sodium Chloride Crystal
Movie
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When a sodium chloride crystal touches wires connected to a battery and light bulb, the bulb does not light. It is not a conductor.
(33)
Wax
Movie
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When a sample of wax touches wires connected to a battery and light bulb, the bulb does not light. Wax is not a conductor.
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Iodine Granules
Movie
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When wires connected to a battery and light bulb touch granules of solid iodine, the bulb does not light. The nonmetallic iodine does not conduct electricity.
(33)
Granular Zinc
Movie
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When wires connected to a battery and light bulb touch granular zinc, the bulb lights brightly. Metallic zinc conducts electricity.
(33)
Granular salt
Movie
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When wires connected to a battery and light bulb are placed into granular sodium chloride, the bulb does not light. It does not conduct.
(33)
Granular Sugar
Movie
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When wires connected to a battery and light bulb are placed into granular sugar, the light bulb does not light. Solid sugar does not conduct electricity.
(33)
© 1997 Division of Chemical Education, Inc., American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.