What's the Electric Field Inside a Sealed Metal Can in a Uniform External Field?

AI Thread Summary
In a uniform external electric field of 10 N/C, the electric field inside a sealed metal can is zero due to the properties of conductors in electrostatic equilibrium. The metal can acts as a Faraday cage, preventing any external electric field from penetrating its interior. This is because if there were a nonzero electric field inside, it would induce a current, contradicting the static condition. The discussion emphasizes the application of Gauss' law and the concept of electric flux, although some participants express uncertainty about these principles. Ultimately, the consensus is that the electric field at the center of the can remains zero.
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Homework Statement



A sealed metal can is placed in a uniform external electric field of 10 N/C . The field points along the +x direction. The can is 20cm in length and 10cm in diameter. What's the value of the electric field at the center of the can?

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


i'm pretty sure this has something to do with Gauss' law but I'm not sure how to relate electric flux back to electric field magnitude especially without a charge?
 
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Doesn't the metal can act as a Faraday cage?
 
hilbert2 said:
Doesn't the metal can act as a Faraday cage?

i honestly have no clue what that is, i don't think we have gone over that yet.

i was just assuming this was a gaussian surface of some kind maybe because it's enclosed?
 
hilbert2 said:
Doesn't the metal can act as a Faraday cage?

i honestly have no clue what that is, i don't think we have gone over that yet.

i was just assuming this was a gaussian surface of some kind maybe because it's enclosed?
 
In an electrostatic situation, the electric field inside a conductor material is always zero. Because if there were a nonzero field, electric current would be induced and it would not be a static situation. The same applies if the conducting object is hollow.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage
 

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