Does an Electric Field Between Two Conductors Guarantee a Current?

AI Thread Summary
An electric field between two conductors does not guarantee a current unless the conductors are connected in some way. In the scenario described, with one conductor at eight volts and another at zero volts, a current will only flow if they are connected, such as through a resistor or a voltage source. If the conductors are simply placed near each other without a connection, the electric field exists, but no current will flow. The current direction is from the higher potential conductor to the lower potential one when connected. Therefore, the presence of an electric field alone is insufficient to ensure a current in the system.
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Homework Statement



More of a general question:
I have a situation where I have a conductor at eight volts and a conductor with zero volts. Just because there is an electric field, does that mean there is an electric current present in the system? And what is the direction?

Homework Equations



None

The Attempt at a Solution



We just got introduced to this and I can't seem to find a reasoning. In my mind, I believe that there most likely must be a current, but I'm so green at this that I'm not sure.
 
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Well, if you connect them there would be a current. If the condctors were connected to a voltage source, such as a battery, the current would continue to flow. If you connect them with a resistance Ohms law will tell you how big the current is.
If the conductors would be just 2 pieces of wire lying on a table there would only be current for a very short time if you connected them until their potentials became the same.
 
Okay, we have a set-up similar to this

http://www.sm.luth.se/~urban/master/Theory/image122.gif

only, instead of the negative charge, we have no voltage there. Is there for sure a current if this electric field exists?
 
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Since nothing connects the charges there will be no current
 

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