Induction in electrostatic equilibrium conductor

AI Thread Summary
In an electrostatically balanced conductor, both the interior and surface remain equipotential. When approaching loaded objects, the surface of the conductor continues to be an equipotential. If it were not, electric field lines could form between regions of excess positive and negative charges. Electric field lines are always perpendicular to the surface of the conductor. Any deviation would cause charge movement until equilibrium is restored.
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Homework Statement
Consider a conductor in electrostatic equilibrium, approach if charged objects so that one region of that conductor has an excess of positive charges and another region with an excess of negative charges.
Relevant Equations
Equipotential regions
We know that both the interior and the surface of an electrostatically balanced conductor are equipotential. My question is if when we approach the loaded objects, the surface of the conductor will continue to be an equipotential. If not, then there could be a field line that left the region with an excess of positive charges going to the region with an excess of negative charges?
 
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Correct. The electric field lines are perpendicular to the surface. If they were not, charge would move until they are perpendicular.

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