- #1
leelee
- 5
- 0
Hi,
I am confused about the electric field within a conductor.
My textbook states that it is zero when charges at rest. Does this mean, the there is no electric field within the metal part of the conductor (let's assume this conductor is a hollow sphere), or the actual "empty" inside core of the conductor? Is the charge also inside the core of the conductor?? Because the textbook then goes on with an example about a positive charge within the conductor, and how the lines from that positive charge would end on the negative charges on the inner surface of the conductor (this is induced) and therefore a postiive charge would be on the outter surface of the conductor. Thus now, a electric field would exist outside the conductor. However in this case, wouldn't there now be an electric field inside the conductor??
So from this what i think is, if there are no charges within the conductor but there are charges outside of it, and they are not moving, then there is no electric field within the conductor. Howeever if there are charges within the conductor, then a field would radiate from that charge, and induce charges on the metal of the conductor, and the conductor would also create a electric field.
Is this correct, or am i misunderstanding the text?
thanks!
I am confused about the electric field within a conductor.
My textbook states that it is zero when charges at rest. Does this mean, the there is no electric field within the metal part of the conductor (let's assume this conductor is a hollow sphere), or the actual "empty" inside core of the conductor? Is the charge also inside the core of the conductor?? Because the textbook then goes on with an example about a positive charge within the conductor, and how the lines from that positive charge would end on the negative charges on the inner surface of the conductor (this is induced) and therefore a postiive charge would be on the outter surface of the conductor. Thus now, a electric field would exist outside the conductor. However in this case, wouldn't there now be an electric field inside the conductor??
So from this what i think is, if there are no charges within the conductor but there are charges outside of it, and they are not moving, then there is no electric field within the conductor. Howeever if there are charges within the conductor, then a field would radiate from that charge, and induce charges on the metal of the conductor, and the conductor would also create a electric field.
Is this correct, or am i misunderstanding the text?
thanks!