Electromagnetic wave in a conductor

[aaaa202]

When an electromagnetic wave hits a conductor the transmitted part of the wave is damped considerably. I want to know if anyone can explain physically why the field is attentuated inside the conductor - i.e. what happens.
I know the basic properties of a conductor:
- Electrons free to roam
- E-field 0 inside it
- Net charge resides on surface
But can't really combine this to a clear understanding.

 

[Spinnor]

When an electromagnetic wave hits a conductor the transmitted part of the wave is damped considerably. I want to know if anyone can explain physically why the field is attentuated inside the conductor - i.e. what happens.
I know the basic properties of a conductor:
- Electrons free to roam
- E-field 0 inside it
- Net charge resides on surface
But can't really combine this to a clear understanding.

The electrons are not completely free in most conductors (except super conductors ). If the electrons were completely free in metals incandescent electric lights would not work. A current that is passed through a conductor heats it.

The electric field dies off rapidly inside a conductor but the change is not infinite, dE/dx ≠ ∞