# Having trouble understanding "Faraday cage"

## Homework Statement

I am having trouble understanding how a Faraday cage works.

## Homework Equations

$$\oint \vec{E}\cdot\,d\vec{A} = \dfrac{Q_{encl}}{\epsilon_{0}}$$

## The Attempt at a Solution

It says that Faraday cage is a hollow metallic conductor and hence, inside the cage, $$\vec{E} = 0$$
I am aware that it holds for a eletrostatic metallic conductor, since if there is any electric field within the conductor, then the charges will move around by the field and it would be no longer electrostatic. Is Faraday cage a eletrostatic conductor as well? Is that why this still holds for Faraday cage? If it is, why is a Faraday cage electrostatic even if there is a electric field from outer source? Furthermore, I am wondering if all metallic conductors are naturally electrostatic and if they are, why. Thank you very much for your help.

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So why the charges on the surface of the cage move around to cancel the electric field from outside?

A Faraday cage is basically a conducting shell.
Suppose you have 3 of these shells (spherical for simplicity).
One has all of its excess charge on the outside.
Another has an equal distribution of its excess charges on both its inner and outer surfaces.
The third has all of its charge on its inner surface.
Which of the three has the lowest electrical potential?
Since charge is free to move about within a conductor it will assume the lowest energy configuration.

haruspex