Electric field inside a void in a conductor?

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SUMMARY

The electric field inside a conductor and within any voids is established to be zero, as supported by Gauss's Law, which states that the electric field is zero in regions without enclosed charge. While the assumption of a zero field is generally accepted, it is acknowledged that no conductor is perfectly ideal, especially with advancements in nanotechnology. The discussion highlights the need for alternative approaches when dealing with non-symmetrical geometries, as the spherical shell example relies on symmetry for its conclusions.

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  • Understanding of Gauss's Law
  • Basic knowledge of electrostatics
  • Familiarity with the concept of conductors and their properties
  • Awareness of superconductors and their characteristics
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  • Research the implications of Gauss's Law in various geometries
  • Explore the properties and applications of superconductors
  • Investigate the effects of nanotechnology on electrical conductivity
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Students of physics, electrical engineers, and researchers interested in electrostatics and the properties of conductors.

Hassan2
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Hi everyone,

The field inside a conductor and also inside any voids in a said to be zero. I'm convinced with the available proofs for the field inside a conductor. However, I am not aware of any solid proof for the field inside a void in a conductor. Would you please share your knowledge on this topic?

Thanks.
 
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Hassan2 said:
Hi everyone,

The field inside a conductor and also inside any voids in a said to be zero. I'm convinced with the available proofs for the field inside a conductor. However, I am not aware of any solid proof for the field inside a void in a conductor. Would you please share your knowledge on this topic?

Thanks.

There's no such thing as an unconditionally perfect conductor. The zero field assumption is only approximate. It will be even more suspect when science furthers develops nanotechnology, rendering these approximations as a quaint symbol of the time when people didn't need to care about it.
 
If I have a spherical shell with plus q charge on it, the E field is zero inside because there is no enclosed charge so it is zero by Gauss's Law.
no perfect conductors, what about superconductors?
 
cragar said:
If I have a spherical shell with plus q charge on it, the E field is zero inside because there is no enclosed charge so it is zero by Gauss's Law.
no perfect conductors, what about superconductors?

That's based on the symmetry of the shell. For an arbitrary geometry we need another approach.
 

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