What defines electrical nonconductors or materials that obstruct the flow of electric current?

Electrical nonconductors, also known as insulators, are materials that significantly impede the flow of electric current. These materials possess high resistivity, meaning they do not allow the movement of electric charge freely. This characteristic makes them essential in various applications where it is crucial to prevent unwanted electrical conduction, such as in wiring and electronic devices.

While electrical conductors facilitate the flow of electric current and semiconductors have properties that allow them to conduct current under certain conditions, insulators serve the opposite function. Superconductors, on the other hand, are a unique class of materials that can exhibit zero resistance at very low temperatures, enabling them to conduct electricity without any loss. However, insulators remain the defining category for materials that obstruct current flow in standard conditions. Therefore, the identification of electrical insulators aligns precisely with the characteristics of electrical nonconductors.