Electric field strength and potential in a charged conducting sphere

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SUMMARY

The electric field strength inside a charged conducting sphere is definitively zero due to the nature of electrostatic equilibrium. This occurs because any electric field would cause free charges within the conductor to move, contradicting the static condition. Consequently, the electric potential throughout the interior of the sphere remains uniform, equating to the potential at the surface of the sphere, though it is not necessarily zero. The relationship between electric field and potential is established through the gradient, confirming that a zero electric field results in a uniform electric potential.

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  • Understanding of electrostatics and electric fields
  • Familiarity with the concept of electric potential
  • Knowledge of conductors and their behavior in electrostatic conditions
  • Basic grasp of calculus, particularly gradients
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  • Explore the relationship between electric field and electric potential
  • Investigate the behavior of charges in conductors under static conditions
  • Learn about Gauss's Law and its applications in electrostatics
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Physics students, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in understanding electrostatics and the behavior of electric fields in conductors.

AllenHe
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The electric field strength inside a conducting charged sphere is zero, but why? In the book it says "that the field lines would link charges of opposite sign in the sphere and such a state of affairs is impossible under static conditions in a conductor." I don't really get this sentence.
And if the electric field strength inside a conducting charged sphere is zero, does it mean that the potential inside it is also zero? Or the electric potential is same as the potential on the surface of the sphere?
 
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If a field line linked two opposing charges, they would accelerate towards one another because they are free to move in a conductor. This acceleration contradicts the assumption that the conditions are static.

Since the electric field is minus the gradient of the electric potential, if there is no electric field then there can be no gradient, ie. the electric potential is uniform over the conducting volume, although not necessarily zero.
 
thanks :)
 

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