Electric field inside a conducting wire

In summary, the electric field inside a conductor is typically zero in electrostatic equilibrium, but when a voltage source is connected, there will be a non-zero electric field inside the conductor that drives a current through it. This is not a violation of Gauss's law, as the net flux inside the conductor is still zero.
  • #1
Mohammed Shoaib
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The electric field in a 2.5mm×2.5mm square aluminum wire is 2.1×10−2 V/m . What is the current in the wire?
The answer is I=4.65A.

But my question is according to Gauss law, the electric field inside the conductor is zero. then how come this question says
"The electric field in a 2.5mm×2.5mm square aluminum wire is 2.1×10−2 V/m "
 
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  • #2
Mohammed Shoaib said:
according to Gauss law, the electric field inside the conductor is zero
This is true only in electrostatic equilibrium. When you connect a voltage source across a conductor, there will be a non-zero electric field inside the conductor and it will drive a current through the conductor such that current density J=σ*E, where σ is the conductivity of the material.
 
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  • #3
Mohammed Shoaib said:
according to Gauss law, the electric field inside the conductor is zero
The response from @cnh1995 is correct, but may have left you wondering if Gauss law is violated. It is not. Gauss's law tells us that if there is no charge inside a surface then the net flux is 0. Inside a conducting wire there is flux, but there is just as much flux going in and going out, so the net flux is zero. Gauss's law holds.
 
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  • #4
Thanks a lot for clearing my confusion.
 

1. What is an electric field?

An electric field is a physical quantity that describes the influence that an electric charge has on other charges in its surrounding space. It is a vector field, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.

2. How does an electric field exist inside a conducting wire?

An electric field inside a conducting wire is created by the flow of electrons through the wire. As electrons move through the wire, they create a flow of charge, which results in an electric field.

3. Is the electric field inside a conducting wire uniform?

No, the electric field inside a conducting wire is not uniform. It is strongest at the surface of the wire and decreases as you move towards the center of the wire. This is because electrons tend to accumulate on the surface of the wire, creating a higher concentration of charge there.

4. How does the electric field inside a conducting wire affect the movement of electrons?

The electric field inside a conducting wire exerts a force on the electrons, causing them to move in a particular direction. This movement of electrons is what creates an electric current in the wire.

5. Can the strength of the electric field inside a conducting wire be changed?

Yes, the strength of the electric field inside a conducting wire can be changed by altering the amount of charge flowing through the wire or by changing the material of the wire. Additionally, the distance between the charges and the wire can also affect the strength of the electric field.

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