Conducting and Insulating Conductors: why uniform and 'surface' charge distribution?

*Kuhan*

Why is it that when you have an insulator, the charges are uniformly distributed but in a conductor, the charges are only at the surface?

mfb

Insulators can have their charge everywhere, and in many real setups you will find them on the surface only, too.

Conductors cannot have net charges inside in equilibrium - those charges would induce a field in the conductor, which would lead to a current flow, and that violates the equilibrium condition.

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Kuhan	Conducting and Insulating Conductors: why uniform and 'surface' charge distribution? Tweet Why is it that when you have an insulator, the charges are uniformly distributed but in a conductor, the charges are only at the surface?

mfb Recognitions: Homework Help Science Advisor	Insulators can have their charge everywhere, and in many real setups you will find them on the surface only, too. Conductors cannot have net charges inside in equilibrium - those charges would induce a field in the conductor, which would lead to a current flow, and that violates the equilibrium condition.