The discussion revolves around the behavior of electric fields within conductors, particularly in the context of external electric fields and the conditions under which a conductor may exhibit a zero electric field inside. Participants are examining the generalization made in textbooks regarding conductors and their internal electric fields.
The discussion is ongoing, with participants offering different perspectives on the conditions under which a conductor may have a zero field inside. There is a recognition of the need to clarify assumptions about external fields and the nature of conductors, but no consensus has been reached.
Participants are considering the implications of static versus dynamic conditions in conductors, as well as the distinction between ideal and practical conductors. The discussion also touches on the time it takes for charges to rearrange in response to external fields.
Only perfect conductors would have zero field inside (eg. a superconductor) at all times. If current flows through a copper wire, there is a small field inside the wire as a small amount of work is required to sustain the current (resistance is not zero).flyingpig said:Homework Statement
My book draws this picture where there is an external field outside a conductor and inside has charges where an opposite field takes place inside and there a net zero field occurs. But the book then generalizes that ALL conductors have zero field inside.
My question is why? What if there is no external field? How can they say ALL?