Electric Field of a Point Charge

AI Thread Summary
The electric field of a point charge is considered infinite at the charge itself, according to Coulomb's Law. However, within the charge, the electric field is zero, as a point charge has all its charge concentrated at a single point with no internal structure. The discussion also highlights the distinction between conductors and non-conductors regarding their electric fields; conductors have zero electric field inside, while non-conductors typically have a non-zero electric field. Understanding these concepts is crucial for grasping electrostatics. Overall, the nature of the electric field varies based on the type of charge and its configuration.
Apteronotus
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Hi,

A simple question:
Is the electric field of a point charge infinite at the charge itself?
Coulomb's Law clearly seems to say so, but I just want to be certain.

Thanks
 
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But, the electric field on the inside of the charge is zero.
 
We are talking about a point charge; all the charge concentrated at a single point. There is no "inside".
 
Even if the charge isn't a point charge, it makes a difference whether it's a conductor (which has zero E field inside, in electrostatics) or a non-conductor (which has a non-zero E field inside, in general).
 
Thank you all kindly for your replies.
 
I was using the Smith chart to determine the input impedance of a transmission line that has a reflection from the load. One can do this if one knows the characteristic impedance Zo, the degree of mismatch of the load ZL and the length of the transmission line in wavelengths. However, my question is: Consider the input impedance of a wave which appears back at the source after reflection from the load and has traveled for some fraction of a wavelength. The impedance of this wave as it...

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