Electric fiel of wire carrying current

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SUMMARY

Current-carrying wires do possess an electric field, which is typically overlooked in static analyses. In the case of alternating current, this electric field is generated by electromagnetic waves that propagate between the wire and its ground. While perfect conductors confine currents to the surface and prevent internal fields, realistic conductors can be approximated to exhibit similar properties. The findings are supported by the research of Assis, Rodrigues, and Mania in their 1999 paper published in Foundations of Physics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic theory
  • Familiarity with alternating current (AC) concepts
  • Knowledge of conductor properties and behavior
  • Basic principles of electric fields and waves
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of electromagnetic waves in conductors
  • Study the implications of electric fields in alternating current systems
  • Explore the characteristics of perfect versus realistic conductors
  • Examine the paper "The electric field outside a stationary resistive wire carrying a constant current" for detailed insights
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Electrical engineers, physicists, and students studying electromagnetism and circuit theory will benefit from this discussion.

waqarrashid33
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Is current carrying wire have any electric field?
 
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Yes, there is usually an implicitly applied electric field in the wire itself that gives rise to the current. Usually this electric field is ignored for the purposes of a simple static problem. However, if we have an alternating current, then this current is excited by an electromagnetic wave that propagates between the wire and the return/ground. This electromagnetic wave permeates the space around the wire. By convention, we do not regard the fields to penetrate the wire. A perfect conductor restricts all currents to the surface of the wire and prevents any fields from being present inside the wire. A realistic conductor can still be reasonably estimated to have this property as well.
 
See this:

author = "Assis, A. K. T. and Rodrigues, W. A. and Mania, A. J.",
title = "The electric field outside a stationary resistive wire carrying a constant current",
journal = "Foundations of Physics",
year = 1999,
volume = 29,
number = 5,
pages = "729-753",

(I am not an author)
 

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