An electric field inside a conductor refers to the distribution of electric charges within a conductor, which is a material that allows the flow of electric current. The electric field is a vector field that describes the strength and direction of the force that would be exerted on an electric charge placed at any given point inside the conductor.
The electric field inside a conductor is zero because the free electrons in the conductor are in a state of electrostatic equilibrium. This means that the repulsive forces between the negatively charged electrons cancel out the attractive forces between the positively charged nuclei, resulting in a net electric field of zero.
Yes, the shape and size of a conductor can affect the electric field inside. For a given charge distribution, the electric field will be stronger in regions where the curvature is greater, and weaker in regions where the curvature is smaller. This is why the electric field is strongest at sharp points on a conductor, such as the edges of a needle or a lightning rod.
When an external electric field is applied to a conductor, the free electrons inside the conductor will experience a force and start to move. This movement of electrons will create a new electric field inside the conductor that will oppose the external electric field. This process will continue until the net electric field inside the conductor is once again zero.
Yes, the electric field inside a conductor can be non-zero if the conductor is not in a state of electrostatic equilibrium. This can happen if the conductor is not a perfect conductor, meaning that it has some resistance, or if the conductor is in motion, as in the case of a moving charged particle inside the conductor. In these cases, the electric field inside the conductor will not be zero, but it will still follow the rules of electrostatics.