What is NOT required for current to flow through a conductor?

Current flow through a conductor necessitates specific conditions, primarily the presence of a conductor material, a voltage source, and a complete circuit. When considering these requirements, the presence of air molecules is not necessary for current to flow.

A conductor material acts as the medium through which electric current can travel, typically metals like copper or aluminum due to their free electrons that facilitate this movement. Similarly, a voltage source is vital for creating the potential difference that drives electrons through the conductor, establishing a flow of current. Additionally, a complete circuit ensures there are no breaks in the pathway for the current to travel; it forms a loop that can sustain the flow of electricity.

Air molecules, while they can be relevant in certain contexts, such as in the case of ionized air being conductive in a plasma state, do not contribute to the basic requirements for current flow through a typical conductive material. The flow of current is largely determined by the conductive pathway and the conditions outlined above, not by the composition of the surrounding medium.