Metal Charge Transfer: Why Thin Sheets Form

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Charge transfer onto metal occurs primarily at the surface, forming a thin sheet due to electron repulsion, which drives the charge distribution to minimize potential energy. This distribution is not uniform; it adjusts to ensure that the electric field inside the metal remains zero. The tendency for charges to spread uniformly across the surface leads to the formation of this thin sheet. Understanding these principles is crucial for applications in electrostatics and material science. The behavior of surface charges is essential for predicting the electrical properties of metals.
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Why is it that when there's transfer of charge onto the metal it always forms on as close to the surface as possible and in a thin sheet?
 
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Because the electrons repel each other and the charge distribution acquires minimum potential energy by spreading uniformly over the surface..
 
Mr.4 said:
Because the electrons repel each other and the charge distribution acquires minimum potential energy by spreading uniformly over the surface..
The surface charge is usually not uniform. It is distributed so that the E
field is zero inside the metal.
 
I was talking about the thin sheet there.
 

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