Are pith balls conductors or insulators?

Question

Do they allow electrons to flow freely through them or do the electrons stay on them?

I had a question that asked what would happen to a pith ball that was touching an insulated metal rod, and at the other end of the insulated rod there was a positively-charged rod touching it as well.
If you could tell me what happens to the pith ball in the above question as well, thanks!

Answer 1

Pith balls are insulators.
In the situation you describe, if the pith ball were hanging from a thread and brought up to the insulated metal rod that was already being touched by the positively charged rod, normally the ball would be attracted to the insulated rod and then would spring away. Before touching it would be neutral with an induced negative charge on the side near the positive charges conducted on the rod. After touching, it would be positive on that side and the positive charges would repel, pushing the ball away.