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

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In summary, the problem is asking for the electric field for different values of R, the perpendicular distance from the common axis of a cylindrical system with an inner conductor of radius 1.5cm and linear charge density of 6 nC/m and an outer conductor with no net charge and radii of 4.5cm and 6.5cm. The book states that the electric field is 0 for r<1.5cm, which may seem contradictory since a hollow conductor would normally have an electric field of 0. However, the book is assuming that the inner conductor is a solid cylinder, not a hollow one. This is supported by a picture of the problem online. Since the
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charlies1902
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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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  • #2
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.
 
  • #3
If there is a non-zero field within a conducting material, what will happen to the charges which are free to move?
 
  • #5
ask urself what will happen if there is an electric field set up within a conductor. what will happen to the charges?
 
  • #6
In a conductor the charge is on the surface. Hence E will be zero
 

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

Why is the electric field 0 inside a conductor?

Inside a conductor, the electric field is 0 because the free electrons within the conductor are able to move freely in response to an external electric field. This movement of electrons creates an internal electric field that cancels out the external electric field, resulting in a net electric field of 0 inside the conductor.

Why does the electric field disappear between two oppositely charged parallel plates?

The electric field disappears between two oppositely charged parallel plates because the electric field lines are perpendicular to the plates, and the electric field is constant between the plates. This means that the electric field lines are parallel and cancel each other out, resulting in a net electric field of 0 between the plates.

Why is the electric field 0 at the center of a spherical charged conductor?

The electric field is 0 at the center of a spherical charged conductor because the electric field lines are radial and symmetric around the center. This means that the electric field vectors point in opposite directions, canceling each other out and resulting in a net electric field of 0 at the center.

Why does the electric field inside a hollow charged conductor always point towards the outer surface?

The electric field inside a hollow charged conductor always points towards the outer surface because of the principle of superposition. The electric field inside the conductor is due to the charges on the inner surface, and these charges are surrounded by an equal amount of opposite charges on the outer surface. This results in an inward electric field inside the conductor, pointing towards the outer surface.

Why is the electric field 0 at the center of a uniformly charged ring or disk?

The electric field is 0 at the center of a uniformly charged ring or disk because of symmetry. The electric field vectors at the center of the ring or disk have equal magnitudes but opposite directions, resulting in a net electric field of 0 at the center.

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