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 'Maxwell stress tensor'

This is from Griffiths' Electrodynamics, 3rd edition, page 352. I am trying to calculate the divergence of the Maxwell stress tensor. The tensor is given as ##T_{ij} =\epsilon_0 (E_iE_j-\frac 1 2 \delta_{ij} E^2)+\frac 1 {\mu_0}(B_iB_j-\frac 1 2 \delta_{ij} B^2)##. To make things easier, I just want to focus on the part with the electrical field, i.e. I want to find the divergence of ##E_{ij}=E_iE_j-\frac 1 2 \delta_{ij}E^2##. In matrix form, this tensor should look like this...
View full post »
Thread 'Applying the Gauss (1835) formula for force between 2 parallel DC currents'

Thread 'Applying the Gauss (1835) formula for force between 2 parallel DC currents'

Please can anyone either:- (1) point me to a derivation of the perpendicular force (Fy) between two very long parallel wires carrying steady currents utilising the formula of Gauss for the force F along the line r between 2 charges? Or alternatively (2) point out where I have gone wrong in my method? I am having problems with calculating the direction and magnitude of the force as expected from modern (Biot-Savart-Maxwell-Lorentz) formula. Here is my method and results so far:- This...
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