Electrical conductivity has an effect while charging by conduction?

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the relationship between electrical conductivity and the charging process of conductors through conduction. It is established that electrical conductivity affects the time required for two conductors to reach a steady state charge, with higher conductivity resulting in lower resistance and consequently higher current flow. The discussion references Ohm's Law in its differential form, J = σE, indicating that current density is directly proportional to conductivity. The participants agree that the conductivity of conductors has a significant impact on the charging process.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrical conductivity and its measurement
  • Familiarity with Ohm's Law and its differential form
  • Basic knowledge of electric current and charge flow
  • Concept of resistance and its relationship to conductivity
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of Ohm's Law in different contexts
  • Explore the effects of varying resistivity on current flow
  • Research the mathematical modeling of charge redistribution in conductors
  • Investigate the role of inductance in charging processes between conductors
USEFUL FOR

Electrical engineers, physics students, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of electrical conductivity and its effects on charging processes in conductors.

kololo
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Homework Statement
Does electrical conductivity affects only the time taken for two conductors to obtain their resultant charge?
Relevant Equations
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I understand that electrical conductivity is a measure of how easily charges are able to move in an object.
During charging by conduction (for conductors), it seems that we simply have to add the charges of both object together and divide by two to obtain the resultant charge of either object. Does electrical conductivity then affects only the time taken for the two conductors to obtain their resultant charge?
 
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To charge an object you need to have an electric current into and through that object, correct? How does the resistance (or conductivity) affect an electric current?
 
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"resultant charge", to me, means steady state, or that nothing is changing any more, the system is stable. What can you conclude from that assumption about your problem?
 
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Drakkith said:
To charge an object you need to have an electric current into and through that object, correct? How does the resistance (or conductivity) affect an electric current?
Thank you for your reply, but I still have some queries.
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Do you mean to say that when the particles are in contact with each other and when electrons move from A to B, there is electron current from A to B?
Since the current is voltage divided by resistance, the higher the conductivity, the less the resistance, and thus the higher the current. And since current is the rate of flow of charge, a higher current will mean that it will take a shorter time for A and B to obtain 2.5q of charge? Please correct me if I'm wrong.
 
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kololo said:
Do you mean to say that when the particles are in contact with each other and when electrons move from A to B, there is electron current from A to B?
Absolutely. Electrons are electric charges after all, and current is defined as the movement of electric charges.

kololo said:
Since the current is voltage divided by resistance, the higher the conductivity, the less the resistance, and thus the higher the current. And since current is the rate of flow of charge, a higher current will mean that it will take a shorter time for A and B to obtain 2.5q of charge? Please correct me if I'm wrong.
That looks correct to me.
 
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Drakkith said:
Absolutely. Electrons are electric charges after all, and current is defined as the movement of electric charges.That looks correct to me.
Alright, I understand now. Thank you!
 
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BTW I don't think its an easy problem to find a formula for the current that flows when we bring two conductors of different potential in contact , but I agree that the conductivity of the conductors will have a proportional effect to this current. Or the resistivity will have an inversely proportional effect. The reason for this is I think Ohm's law in its differential form $$\mathbf{J}=\sigma\mathbf{E}$$ where it gives us clearly that the current density ##\mathbf{J}## is proportional to the conductivity ##\sigma##.

For a simplified version of this problem, check the following thread
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/inductance-and-charge-redistribution.988487/

PS. Sorry the above link is for two spherical conductors connected by a coil of inductance L but the solution path would be similar if we assume they are connected by a conductor of ohmic resistance R.
 
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Delta2 said:
BTW I don't think its an easy problem to find a formula for the current that flows when we bring two conductors of different potential in contact , but I agree that the conductivity of the conductors will have a proportional effect to this current. Or the resistivity will have an inversely proportional effect. The reason for this is I think Ohm's law in its differential form $$\mathbf{J}=\sigma\mathbf{E}$$ where it gives us clearly that the current density ##\mathbf{J}## is proportional to the conductivity ##\sigma##.

For a simplified version of this problem, check the following thread
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/inductance-and-charge-redistribution.988487/

PS. Sorry the above link is for two spherical conductors connected by a coil of inductance L but the solution path would be similar if we assume they are connected by a conductor of ohmic resistance R.
Thank you
 
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