Electrical field outside a hollow spherical conductor

In summary, the electric field lines inside the metal spherical hollow conductor are perpendicular to the surface of the conductor. The electric field does not penetrate the hollow region.
  • #1
Noelani2306
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Hello everyone,
There is an electrical field inside and outside (at the same time) the spherical hollow conductor when we place positive or negative charge inside, isn't it?

I know this is because of the induced charges on the inner and outer surfaces of the conductor. There is no field inside the conductor itself, but there are field lines "exiting" the positive part on the outer surface of the conductor which, consequently, makes the field exist outside of it.

But why does not this work in the reverse way?

Let me say this: when we place a charge (positive or negative) outside of the spherical conductor, or otherwise, when we place this conductor inside the field lines (External Field lines, i.e two parallel opposite charged plates, as an example), electirc field is not present inside the conductor itself again as in the previous case, but now, they do not enter the empty space inside...?

they skip the conductor again but not pass the conductor and present inside the shell? Why?
 
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  • #2
Let us look at your question step-by-step. Place the metal spherical hollow conductor in a uniform electric field inside a capacitor. If the elctric field penetrated into the hollow region, what would be the shape of the electric field lines inside the hollow?
 
  • #3
reverse to the outside electric field lines? i guess
Chandra Prayaga said:
Let us look at your question step-by-step. Place the metal spherical hollow conductor in a uniform electric field inside a capacitor. If the elctric field penetrated into the hollow region, what would be the shape of the electric field lines inside the hollow?
 
  • #4
Remember that the electric field must be perpendicular to the metallic surface, in equilibrium. That will be so inside the hollow too.
 
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  • #5
so what does it give to me? does this mean field don't penetrate ?
 
  • #6
There are a couple of steps in the logic before you can come to a conclusion. First you should make a drawing of the field lines or arrows inside the hollow, keeping in mind that the electric field is perpendicular to the surface of the conductor.
 
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  • #7
Ok thanks)))
 

FAQ: Electrical field outside a hollow spherical conductor

1. What is the electric field outside a hollow spherical conductor?

The electric field outside a hollow spherical conductor is zero. This is because the electric charges inside the conductor are evenly distributed and cancel each other out, resulting in no net electric field outside the conductor.

2. How is the electric field outside a hollow spherical conductor different from that of a solid spherical conductor?

The electric field outside a solid spherical conductor is not zero, unlike that of a hollow spherical conductor. This is because in a solid conductor, the electric charges are not evenly distributed and there is a net electric field outside the conductor.

3. Does the size of the hollow spherical conductor affect the electric field outside?

No, the size of the hollow spherical conductor does not affect the electric field outside. As long as the conductor is hollow, the electric field outside will be zero.

4. What happens to the electric field outside a hollow spherical conductor when a charge is placed inside?

The electric field outside the conductor will still be zero. This is because the charges inside the conductor will rearrange themselves to cancel out the electric field created by the charge placed inside.

5. Can the electric field outside a hollow spherical conductor ever be non-zero?

Yes, if there is an external electric field present, the electric field outside the hollow spherical conductor will not be zero. This is because the external electric field will interact with the charges inside the conductor, resulting in a non-zero net electric field outside.

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