Why can't a closed conductor have excess charge inside?

In summary, the interior of a closed conductor cannot have any excess charges in a static situation. This is because any electric field inside the conductor would cause a redistribution of charges and a net current, which is not observed. This is also related to Gauss law for electrostatics, which states that the integral of the electric field over a closed surface is equal to the net charge enclosed by the surface. Since this integral is zero for any surface within the conductor, there can be no net charge enclosed and therefore the charge density inside the conductor must be zero. This applies to all types of closed conductors, including hollow or solid cylinders and wires.
  • #1
tecnics
6
0
the interior of a closed conductor can have no excess charges in the static situation ...and even if they have excess charge ...then these charge resides on the surface of the conductor...not inside it...

can anyone explain to me...y a closed conductor behaves so?

wht connection does it have with gauss law for electrostatics?

the conductor can be either..a hollow or solid cylinder or ...even a solid wire..
 
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  • #2
If there was an electric field inside the conductor, then there would be a net current and hence redistribution of charge. This tells us that there can be no electric field inside the conductor in the static situation. Gauss law relates the integral of the field over a surface to the charge enclosed by the surface. If we pick any surface within the conductor, the integral is going to be zero since the field is. Thus, there can be no net charge enclosed by the surface. Since this is true for any closed surface in the conductor, the charge density must be zero everywhere.
 

1. What is the concept of electrostatics?

Electrostatics is the study of stationary electric charges and their interactions with each other and with electric fields.

2. What is a conductor?

A conductor is a material that allows electric charges to flow freely through it.

3. How do conductors behave in an electric field?

Conductors become polarized when placed in an electric field, and the charges within them redistribute to neutralize the field inside the conductor.

4. Can conductors hold a charge?

Yes, conductors can hold a charge on their surface, but the electric field inside the conductor is always zero.

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

The electric field inside a conductor is strongest at sharp edges and points, which is why lightning rods are pointed to dissipate the electric charge.

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