If ia charge is placed inside a conductor, is the electric field inside zero?

In summary, when a charge q is placed inside a cavity within a metal shell, there will be no electric field within the conducting materials. However, there will be an electric field in the void and external to the conductors. This is because, according to Gauss's law, the metal surface will have an induced charge which prevents an infinite amount of charge build up due to current flow.
  • #1
stunner5000pt
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If a charge q was placed inside a cavity inside a metal shell, then inside this shell would there be any electric field??

And since Gauss law says that this metal surface would have an induced charge then a point within the regoin between the cavity and the outer surface of this shell thn would there be any value for electric field at that point?
 
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  • #2
There will be no electric field within the conducting materials but there will be an electric field in the void and external to the conductors. The reason for zero field within the conducting material is that, statically, it would have led to an infinite amount of charge build up due to current flow.
 
  • #3


If a charge is placed inside a conductor, the electric field inside the conductor will be zero. This is because the free electrons in the conductor will rearrange themselves in such a way that the electric field inside the conductor is cancelled out.

If a charge q is placed inside a cavity inside a metal shell, the electric field inside the shell will also be zero. This is because the metal shell acts as a Faraday cage, where the charges on the outer surface of the shell will redistribute themselves in such a way that the electric field inside the shell is cancelled out.

According to Gauss's law, the induced charge on the metal surface will create an electric field outside the cavity, between the cavity and the outer surface of the shell. However, at the point between the cavity and the outer surface, the electric field will be zero. This is because the electric field from the induced charge on the metal surface cancels out the electric field from the charge inside the cavity.

In summary, if a charge is placed inside a conductor or inside a cavity inside a metal shell, the electric field inside the conductor or shell will be zero. However, there may be an electric field outside the conductor or shell due to the induced charges on the surface.
 

1. What is a conductor?

A conductor is a material that allows electric charges to flow freely through it. Examples of conductors include metals, saline solutions, and plasma.

2. How does placing a charge inside a conductor affect the electric field?

Placing a charge inside a conductor causes the electric field inside the conductor to become zero. This is because the charges inside the conductor will redistribute themselves in such a way that cancels out the electric field created by the placed charge.

3. Is the electric field inside a conductor always zero?

No, the electric field inside a conductor is only zero when the conductor is in electrostatic equilibrium, meaning that the charges inside are not moving. If there is a current flowing through the conductor, the electric field inside will not be zero.

4. What happens to the electric field outside of the conductor when a charge is placed inside?

The electric field outside the conductor will not be affected by the charge placed inside. This is because the charges inside the conductor are held in place by the conductor's surface, and cannot affect the electric field outside.

5. How does the shape of the conductor affect the electric field inside?

The shape of the conductor can affect the distribution of charges inside, which in turn can affect the electric field. For example, if the conductor is spherical, the electric field inside will be evenly distributed. But if the conductor has sharp edges or corners, the electric field may be stronger in those areas.

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