Electrical field outside a hollow spherical conductor

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of electric fields in relation to a hollow spherical conductor, particularly focusing on the presence or absence of electric fields inside and outside the conductor when charges are placed inside or outside of it. The scope includes conceptual understanding and technical reasoning related to electrostatics.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that there is an electric field inside and outside the hollow spherical conductor when a charge is placed inside, due to induced charges on the conductor's surfaces.
  • Another participant questions why the electric field does not penetrate the hollow region when a charge is placed outside the conductor, suggesting a need for clarification on the behavior of electric field lines.
  • A subsequent reply proposes that if the electric field were to penetrate into the hollow region, it raises questions about the shape of the electric field lines inside.
  • Another participant notes that the electric field must be perpendicular to the metallic surface in equilibrium, implying that this condition holds true inside the hollow as well.
  • One participant expresses confusion about the implications of the electric field not penetrating the hollow region, seeking further clarification.
  • Another suggests that visualizing the field lines could help in understanding the situation better, emphasizing the importance of drawing the field lines or arrows inside the hollow.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus, as there are multiple competing views regarding the behavior of electric fields in relation to the hollow spherical conductor. The discussion remains unresolved with ongoing questions and clarifications sought.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the need for clearer definitions of electric field behavior in different scenarios and the reliance on visual representations to aid understanding. The discussion does not resolve the mathematical or conceptual steps involved.

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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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?
 
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?
 
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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so what does it give to me? does this mean field don't penetrate ?
 
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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Ok thanks)))
 

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