Electrostatic Induction: Conductor vs. Dielectric Response Time

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the response times of conductors and dielectrics to electrostatic fields, exploring whether conductors induce charges more rapidly than dielectrics under identical conditions. The scope includes theoretical considerations and implications for experimental detection methods.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that conduction electrons in conductors adjust in femtoseconds or less, proposing that dielectrics may respond slightly slower.
  • Another participant questions whether cooling a conductor would enhance its reaction speed to electrostatic fields.
  • A further comment clarifies that if a field is changing, it should not be referred to as 'static', indicating a distinction in terminology regarding electric fields.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the response times of conductors versus dielectrics, and the implications of cooling on these response times remain unresolved. The discussion does not reach a consensus.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the definitions of 'static' and 'changing' electric fields, as well as the conditions under which response times are measured. The discussion also highlights the potential need for optical experiments to detect differences in response times.

Samson4
Messages
242
Reaction score
15
Do electrostatic fields induce charges on conductor surfaces faster than dielectrics respond to an identical field?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Conduction electrons adjust in femtoseconds or less; I suspect that dielectrics respond slightly slower.

You cannot detect the difference by electronic means; it would require optical experiments.
 
Thanks Ultrafast. Am I correct in assuming that if a conductor is cooled, it will react faster to electrostatic fields?
 
Samson4 said:
Thanks Ultrafast. Am I correct in assuming that if a conductor is cooled, it will react faster to electrostatic fields?

If a field is changing (which is necessary to reveal any delay), it is no longer 'static'. The term is just 'electric field'.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 1 person

Similar threads

Graduate Electrostatic Induction in Metals vs Insulators
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Undergrad Where to find this uniqueness theorem of electrostatics?
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
3K
Graduate How to define ##\nabla \cdot D ## at the interface between dielectrics
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Graduate Characterizing Total Charge of Conductor A in an External Electrical Field
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Graduate Induced/bound charges in conductors and dielectrics
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Graduate Why is "method of image current" valid in magnetostatics?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad Charging a small metal ball from a charged hollow sphere
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Graduate Electric field Difference between Electrostatics and Electrodynamics
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Undergrad A question about the Second Uniqueness Theorem in electrostatics
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Undergrad Experiment for the existence of electrostatic field
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
17K