As an expert in the field of materials science, I can provide a comprehensive answer to your question regarding the electrical properties of iron.

Iron is a metal and is classified as a conductor. The term "conductor" refers to a material that can easily conduct electric current due to its low resistance to the flow of current. This property is a result of the atomic structure of metals, which includes a sea of free electrons that can move freely within the material. These free electrons are the primary charge carriers in metals, allowing them to conduct electricity.

When a potential difference, or voltage, is applied across a conductor, such as iron, the free electrons are able to move in response to the electric field created by the potential difference. This movement of electrons constitutes an electric current. The ease with which this current can flow is what differentiates conductors from insulators.

Insulators, on the other hand, are materials that do not conduct electricity well because they have very few free electrons. Their atomic structure does not allow for easy movement of electrons, resulting in high resistance to the flow of current. Common insulators include materials like rubber, glass, and most plastics.

It is important to note that the conductivity of a material can be influenced by various factors, such as temperature, impurities, and the presence of defects in the material's structure. For example, the conductivity of iron can be affected by its purity and the temperature at which it is used. Pure iron has high electrical conductivity, but the presence of impurities can reduce this conductivity. Additionally, as temperature increases, the resistance of iron can also increase, which can slightly decrease its conductivity.

In practical applications, iron is often used in electrical applications not for its conductivity, but for its magnetic properties and its strength. It is a key component in many electrical devices and machinery due to its ability to be magnetized and demagnetized, which is essential for transformers, motors, and generators.

In summary, iron is a conductor with the ability to conduct electricity due to its atomic structure that allows for the movement of free electrons. It is not used primarily for its electrical conductivity in applications, but rather for its other properties, such as its magnetic characteristics and mechanical strength.

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Conductors and insulators. A Conductor is a material that can conduct Electric Current easily, because its Resistance to flow of Current is low. When a potential difference is applied across a conductor, Current can flows through the conductor. ... Many Conductors are metallic, copper and iron for example.read more >>