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undefinedundefinedundefinedSuppose there is a charged HOLLOW CONDUCTOR in an Electric-field-free region. Since there is no electric field acting on that conductor, thus all the electric charges will distribute themselves on the surface, as predicted by Gauss’ law.
Gauss’ law can be interpreted as this: The charges inside the conductor will distribute themselves in such a way as to leave NO electric field inside the conductor. And, since it is a hollow conductor (and hence no internal resistance), the charges (let’s say, electrons) will be free to move to and reside on the surface.
However, I find a case where the Gauss’ law may be invalid. Let’s see:
1)Suppose there is a spherical hollow conductor, which is NEGATIVELY charged, is placed in a region of no electric field.
2)The situation is, all the electrons (the extra charge carriers that make the conductor negatively charged) will be EVENLY distributed on the surface, leaving no more electron and electric field inside the conductor.
3)Everything seems good so far…
4)Now, let’s have a greater imagination.
5)Suppose that somebody put an extra electron into that conductor somehow, without causing ANY change to the situation in (2), he finds:
The electron he added will NOT MOVE and only remain in the original position, why? Because there is NO electric field, hence it can’t experience any forces! (Gravity is neglected here)
6) At this point we find: Gauss’ law is not obeyed because for a charged hollow conductor all the charges are NOT necessary to reside on the surface!
7)Is the situation in (5) possible ? If it is not possible, why?
Gauss’ law can be interpreted as this: The charges inside the conductor will distribute themselves in such a way as to leave NO electric field inside the conductor. And, since it is a hollow conductor (and hence no internal resistance), the charges (let’s say, electrons) will be free to move to and reside on the surface.
However, I find a case where the Gauss’ law may be invalid. Let’s see:
1)Suppose there is a spherical hollow conductor, which is NEGATIVELY charged, is placed in a region of no electric field.
2)The situation is, all the electrons (the extra charge carriers that make the conductor negatively charged) will be EVENLY distributed on the surface, leaving no more electron and electric field inside the conductor.
3)Everything seems good so far…
4)Now, let’s have a greater imagination.
5)Suppose that somebody put an extra electron into that conductor somehow, without causing ANY change to the situation in (2), he finds:
The electron he added will NOT MOVE and only remain in the original position, why? Because there is NO electric field, hence it can’t experience any forces! (Gravity is neglected here)
6) At this point we find: Gauss’ law is not obeyed because for a charged hollow conductor all the charges are NOT necessary to reside on the surface!
7)Is the situation in (5) possible ? If it is not possible, why?