What is a material that has few free electrons and is considered a poor conductor called?

A material that has few free electrons and is classified as a poor conductor is known as an insulator. Insulators are materials that resist the flow of electrical current due to their high resistance and lack of free charge carriers. Common examples of insulators include rubber, glass, and plastic.

The distinctive characteristic of insulators is their structure, which does not allow electrons to move freely. This lack of free electrons means that when a voltage is applied, the material does not easily conduct electricity, making insulators essential in electrical applications for preventing unwanted current flow and ensuring safety.

In contrast, conductors have many free electrons that facilitate the easy flow of electric current, while superconductors exhibit zero electrical resistance at very low temperatures. Semiconductors, on the other hand, are materials that can behave as either conductors or insulators depending on various factors like temperature or impurities, making them key in electronic devices.