Electric field is zero inside a conductor?

what is the physical explanation of the fact that the electric field is zero inside a conductor???

what is the physical explanation of the fact that the electric field is zero inside a conductor???

This is not true in general, but it is true in the realm of electrostatics. That is, if we charge a conductor, and allow it to reach equilibrium, then the electrci field is zero inside.

This is because, in equilibrium, no charges can be moving. The only way for this to be is if the (macroscopically averaged, dont think of particles think of fluid) electric field is zero.

Or... Are you thinking Faraday's cage kind of thing?

.. I think Crosson's explanation dealt with Faraday's cage.

?

Zypheros_Knight
The more simple explaination is using the Gauss Law.When a conductor is charged , after equilibrium is reached , charges rest on the surface of the conductor , and inside a cavity , that is open space no charge resides , by Gauss Law , no electric field exists inside it and hence these cavity is kept protected from outside electrical influences , phenomena called "electrostatic shielding'.

BJ

Zypheros_Knight
thank you all i think i got it

The electric feild is determined by the way in which the voltage changes from
place to place. If you are inside a metal sphere, the voltage is the same
everywhere. Since the voltage isn't changing as you move around, the electric
field measures as zero everywhere inside the sphere.

James R