I Conductor inside conductor

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1. Aug 20, 2016

GwtBc

So the potential inside a conductor is constant. Does this mean that if there were a conductor, B, inside another conductor, A, the charges of A/B would redistribute such that the electric field inside would be zero (hence constant potential)? This seems logical but a bit too easy?

Also, if it is true, does it also hold if the second conductor is inside a cavity within the first?

2. Aug 20, 2016

M Quack

Yes. The electric field inside both conductors would be zero, and therefore the potential constant. There can be an electric field between conductor A and B if they are not electrically connected (in which case they could be considered as one single conductor), and in this case A and B would be at different potentials. One being inside a cavity of the other changes nothing.
Note: This applies to electrostatics.

3. Aug 20, 2016

Staff: Mentor

Did you mean "could not be considered"? If they are electrically connected (with no resistance) they must be considered as one conductor.

4. Aug 20, 2016

M Quack

connected = single conductor.
not connected = different conductors.

Sorry, I was not quite clear in my original post.
In electrostatics, resistance is futile, as there are no currents flowing.