conductor

Everyday

1. A person who stands in front of an orchestra, band or choir and directs the music with hand movements or a baton. tree →
2. In science, a material that lets heat or electricity pass through it easily, such as metal. tree →
3. A person on a bus or train who checks or sells tickets. tree →
4. A lightning conductor is a metal rod on a tall building that carries lightning safely into the ground. tree →
5. A conductor can also be a guide who leads people or spirits to a place. tree →

In the lessons

In science, conductors and insulators are a key pair: metals such as copper, aluminium and iron are good conductors of electricity and heat; plastic, wood, rubber, glass and air are insulators. Pans have metal bases (conductors) and plastic handles (insulators). In circuits, the bulb lights only if the path is made of conductors. In music, the conductor keeps everyone together and sets the speed. Phrases: "a good conductor", "a poor conductor", "conductor of heat", "lightning conductor", "train conductor".

Examples

• Copper is a good conductor of electricity. tree →
• Plastic is a poor conductor, so it is used to cover wires. tree →
• The conductor raised her baton and the orchestra began. tree →
• The train conductor checked our tickets. tree →
• A metal spoon is a conductor of heat. tree →
• The church has a lightning conductor on its spire. tree →
• Is a coin a conductor? Let's test it in our circuit. tree →
• The bus conductor rang the bell. tree →
• Hermes was the swift-footed messenger, and trusted ambassador of all the gods, and conductor of shades to Hades. tree →

Note

Spelling ends in -or, not -er. Opposite in science: insulator. People are conductors too: electricity can pass through your body, so never touch sockets or wires with wet hands. In many countries buses no longer have conductors; in North America "conductor" is often the person in charge of a train.