Electrical field outside a hollow spherical conductor

AI Thread Summary
When a charge is placed inside a hollow spherical conductor, induced charges create an electric field outside the conductor, while the field inside remains zero. Conversely, when an external charge is applied, the electric field does not penetrate the conductor, maintaining zero field strength within the hollow space. This phenomenon occurs because the electric field lines must remain perpendicular to the conductor's surface, preventing penetration into the hollow region. The discussion emphasizes the importance of visualizing electric field lines to understand their behavior in relation to conductors. Overall, the principles of electrostatics dictate that electric fields behave differently depending on the location of charges relative to the conductor.
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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