Electric field inside conductor

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the presence of an electric field inside a conductor when a battery is connected to a loop of wire with finite resistance. It is established that the electric field E can be expressed as J/sigma, where sigma represents conductivity. The confusion arises from the common misconception that the electric field inside a conductor is always zero, which only holds true under electrostatic equilibrium. When dynamic conditions are present, such as moving charges, the electric field is indeed non-zero.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric fields and conductors
  • Familiarity with the concepts of conductivity and current density (J)
  • Knowledge of electrostatic equilibrium principles
  • Reference to Griffiths' "Electrodynamics" for foundational concepts
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the relationship between electric fields and current density in conductors
  • Explore the concept of electrostatic equilibrium and its implications
  • Investigate the behavior of electric fields in dynamic systems
  • Review advanced topics in Griffiths' "Electrodynamics" related to conductors
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the behavior of electric fields in conductive materials.

f2009049
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When we connect a battery across a loop of wire having some finite resistance there comes into picture an electric field E which is empirically given by J/sigma.(sigma==>conductivity).
but how can there exist an electric field inside a conductor??We had already learned that electric
conductor inside a conductor is zero.please explain.
(reference griffiths -- electrodynamics)
 
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f2009049 said:
We had already learned that electric
conductor inside a conductor is zero.
That's only true for the case of electrostatic equilibrium. When you apply fields and have moving charges, that statement no longer applies.
 

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