Only perfect conductors would have zero field inside (eg. a superconductor) at all times. If current flows through a copper wire, there is a small field inside the wire as a small amount of work is required to sustain the current (resistance is not zero).flyingpig said:Homework Statement
My book draws this picture where there is an external field outside a conductor and inside has charges where an opposite field takes place inside and there a net zero field occurs. But the book then generalizes that ALL conductors have zero field inside.
My question is why? What if there is no external field? How can they say ALL?
According to Gauss's Law, the electric field inside a conductor is zero because any excess charge on the surface of the conductor will distribute itself in such a way that the electric field inside is cancelled out. This is known as electrostatic shielding.
Yes, a conductor can have zero electric field inside even when it is not in equilibrium. This is because the excess charge on the surface of the conductor will still distribute itself in a way that cancels out the electric field inside, following the principle of electrostatic shielding.
The presence of charges on the surface of a conductor affects the electric field inside by creating an opposite electric field that cancels out the electric field of the charges inside. This is known as electrostatic shielding.
It is important for a conductor to have zero electric field inside to prevent any unwanted electrical interference. This is especially important for sensitive electronic devices that can be affected by external electric fields.
Besides excess charges, the shape and size of the conductor can also influence the electric field inside. For example, a spherical conductor will have a more evenly distributed electric field inside compared to a cylindrical conductor.