Can Electric Fields Pass Through Both Conductors and Insulators?

AI Thread Summary
Electric fields do not pass through conductors because the free electrons in conductors move in response to the field, neutralizing it and maintaining equilibrium. This principle is exemplified by a Faraday cage, which blocks electromagnetic waves. In contrast, insulators do not allow free movement of electrons, permitting electric fields to pass through them. The discussion highlights the fundamental differences in behavior between conductors and insulators regarding electric fields. Understanding these principles is crucial for applications in electrical engineering and safety.
Godwin Kessy
Messages
91
Reaction score
0
Do both conductors and insulators allow electric fields through and why?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
No, conductors block EM waves. That is the principle behind a Faraday cage.
 
DaleSpam said:
No, conductors block EM waves. That is the principle behind a Faraday cage.

hey! Isnt that all about faradays cage is the principle under gaussians law, and by the way why conductors don't allow electric field pass through as the insulators do?
 
Godwin Kessy said:
hey! Isnt that all about faradays cage is the principle under gaussians law, and by the way why conductors don't allow electric field pass through as the insulators do?

The electrons in a conductor are free to move. If there were an electric field, the electrons would accelerate. The only way for a conductor to be at equilibrium is for the electric field to be 0.
 
Thanks man!
 
Thread 'Inducing EMF Through a Coil: Understanding Flux'

Thread 'Inducing EMF Through a Coil: Understanding Flux'

Thank you for reading my post. I can understand why a change in magnetic flux through a conducting surface would induce an emf, but how does this work when inducing an emf through a coil? How does the flux through the empty space between the wires have an effect on the electrons in the wire itself? In the image below is a coil with a magnetic field going through the space between the wires but not necessarily through the wires themselves. Thank you.
View full post »
Thread 'Griffith, Electrodynamics, 4th Edition, Example 4.8. (Second part)'

Thread 'Griffith, Electrodynamics, 4th Edition, Example 4.8. (Second part)'

I am reading the Griffith, Electrodynamics book, 4th edition, Example 4.8. I want to understand some issues more correctly. It's a little bit difficult to understand now. > Example 4.8. Suppose the entire region below the plane ##z=0## in Fig. 4.28 is filled with uniform linear dielectric material of susceptibility ##\chi_e##. Calculate the force on a point charge ##q## situated a distance ##d## above the origin. In the page 196, in the first paragraph, the author argues as follows ...
View full post »

Similar threads

I Confusion regarding insulator and conductors
Replies
1
Views
1K
I Problem with one of the premises in electrostatic pressure theory
Replies
1
Views
1K
I Question about the current through a strong insulator
Replies
2
Views
1K
A Voltage and current waves in a transmission line
Replies
4
Views
3K
I Work done by electric field of an irregularly shaped conductor
Replies
3
Views
2K
I Electric field is zero in the center of a spherical conductor
Replies
44
Views
4K
B Magnetic field produced by an electric current
Replies
5
Views
2K
I Electric field, flux, and conductor questions
Replies
14
Views
2K
I How is Potential Difference Created across a Resistor?
Replies
21
Views
4K
I Is the Poynting Vector Field the Only Factor in Energy Flow in Circuits?
Replies
16
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top