What is the reason for the e field being 0 inside of a hollow conductor?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the electric field behavior inside a hollow conductor, specifically in a cylindrical system with an inner conductor and an outer hollow conductor. The original poster questions why the electric field is stated to be zero for distances less than the radius of the inner conductor, despite the inner conductor being solid.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of Gauss's law in determining the electric field in this scenario. Questions are raised about the behavior of charges within a conductor and the conditions under which the electric field is zero.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively questioning the assumptions made in the problem, particularly regarding the nature of the inner conductor and the implications of having a non-zero electric field within a conductor. Some guidance on using Gauss's law has been suggested, but no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

The problem involves a specific configuration of conductors with defined radii and charge densities, and there is an indication that assumptions about charge distribution may be under discussion.

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Homework Statement


An inner conductor has radius 1.5cm and linear charge density 6 nC/m and the outer conduct has no net charge. The outer conductor has radius 4.5cm and 6.5cm.
Find the e field for all values of R where R is the perpendicular distance from the common axis of cylindrical system.In the book they had that E=0 for r<1.5cm.
Why is that, shouldn't E=0 if it was a hollow conductor. In this case the book is drawing the conductor has a solid cylinder, not a hollow one. The big conductor is hollow with the 2 radius but not he smaller one. Can someone explain this to me.

Edit-I think they assumed the charge would be 0 for r<1.5cm
 
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Hmm I think I would need to see a pic to make sure I fully understand what the object is. You should be able to use Gauss for each situation in these types of problems.
 
If there is a non-zero field within a conducting material, what will happen to the charges which are free to move?
 
ask urself what will happen if there is an electric field set up within a conductor. what will happen to the charges?
 
In a conductor the charge is on the surface. Hence E will be zero
 

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