Uniform charge distribution in a conductor

[saadm]

TL;DR Summary

Uniform distribution of charge in a conductor

How and why can charge be evenly or uniformly distributed in a conductor? How can such near perfect configuration of charge be achieved? Is outside influence (or force) or any special scientific tools or instruments required to accomplish that? By definition, electrostatic equilibrium is simply a state of the absence of net motion of charge in a conductor so electrostatic equilibrium, by itself, does not appear to have a bearing on charge distribution? What are some factors influencing this? Could someone please shed some light on this and how often this occurs in reality?

Thanks,
Saad

 

[Orodruin]

Inside a conductor the only possible stationary charge distribution is uniform … and equal to zero. Any accumulated net charge will lead to a non-zero electric field and therefore a changing charge distribution.

 

[malawi_glenn]

Depends on the shape of the conductor.

 

[Orodruin]

Depends on the shape of the conductor.
View attachment 317008

That's not charge in the conductor though. It is charge accumulated on the conductor's surface.

 

[malawi_glenn]

That's not charge in the conductor though. It is charge accumulated on the conductor's surface.

right, I think I misunderstood the quesion

 

[SDL]

In (near) perfect conductors it's impossible to achieve a uniform volume charge distribution. Problems with such configurations are offered to you as a student to study basic electromagneric laws. If you like, you can think of these bodies as of perfect dielectrics uniformly charged by some (unknown) means.