# Tangential component of ElectroStatic Field

1. Mar 2, 2012

### abhs94

There is the problem which i haven't been able to understand:

"Show that the tangential component of an electric field is continuous from one side of a conductor to the other"

What exactly is asked and how to prove it?

Thanks!

2. Mar 2, 2012

### McLaren Rulez

Well, I'm not sure what its asking for exactly but the tangential component of the e-field in a conductor must be zero. If not, the electrons in the conductor rearrange themselves to make it zero. The fact that its zero everywhere means that it is continuous obviously. But perhaps they want a proof of this fact in some way which proves continuity without showing that its zero everywhere?

Last edited: Mar 2, 2012
3. Mar 2, 2012

### Hassan2

Hi abhs94,

see this http://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/em/lectures/node59.html

The continuity of tangential component of an electrostatic field is true for the boundary of any two materials. In a special case when one side of the boundary is conductor, on both sides, the tangential component is zero ( and of course still continuous ).

4. Mar 2, 2012

### abhs94

Thanks a lot for that!