Why the Electric field in a conductor in equilibrium ZERO?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on understanding why the electric field inside a conductor in equilibrium is zero. It explores the behavior of charges within the conductor and the conditions that lead to this state, focusing on theoretical concepts related to electrostatics.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that charges in a conductor are free to move and that a nonzero electric field would cause these charges to move until they reach a configuration that results in a zero net electric field.
  • Another participant explains that charges accumulate on the surface of the conductor in a manner that cancels any internal electric field, leading to equilibrium.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the mechanism by which the electric field becomes zero in a conductor at equilibrium, though the initial question about the "why part" indicates some uncertainty in understanding the underlying principles.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not address specific assumptions about the nature of the electric field or the conditions under which the conductor is considered to be in equilibrium.

marvelous
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Hi guys, can you please help me to understand the following question

1.Why the Electric field in a conductor in equilibrium ZERO?
 
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yes I have but I can't find the "why part"
 
In a conductor, charges are free to move about. If there is a nonzero electric field inside a conductor, the charges would of course move. The charges continue to move, forming accumulations of positive/negative charge in various regions of the conductor, until they reach a configuration with zero net electric field (external field plus the field generated by the charge accumulations in the conductor), and in that configuration they then stop moving. In practice, these charges accumulate on (or within a "skin depth" of) the surface of the conductor--the charges accumulate on the surface of the conductor in just the right configuration to exactly cancel any field inside the conductor.
 
Last edited:
thank you now i get it
 

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