Question

Human nails are good insulators.
A) True
B) False

Answer 1

Hint: With the definition of insulators and information about the material that nails are made up of, we can check whether the human nails are insulators or not. Wherever we observe that free electrons are present, it is sure that there will be flow of current.

Complete Step by step answer: The elements around as can be classified on number of basis, one out of them can be on the basis of the conductivity of the electric charge or electricity:
Conductors: The substances through which electricity can flow easily are called conductors. Cause of electricity is the flow of electrons and these substances allow the movement of electrons from one atom to another. E.g. metals, humans, earth, etc.
Insulators: The substances that do not allow electricity to flow through them are called insulators. Cause of electricity is the flow of electrons and these substances restrict the movement of electrons from one atom to another. E.g. wood, cloth, glass, etc.
Now, the human body is a good conductor of electricity that is why we can get shocks from current. But the Human nails are made up of keratin which is a protein. It restricts movement of electrons from one atom to another and does not allow electricity to pass through them.
Also, nails are made up of dead cells, so the movement of electrons cannot even be possible.

Therefore, it can be concluded that human nails are good insulators and thus the given statement is true and the correct option is (A).

Note: The flow of electrons is known as the current and the power it requires to flow is known as voltage. The property of conductors to conduct electricity is known as conductivity and the property of insulators to resist the current is known as resistivity.
Insulators can be considered as protectors especially against electric current as they will restrict it. Thus it is advised to wear rubber slippers while doing electrical work so as to not get the shock.