In a conductor, electrons are free to move due to the presence of delocalized electrons. When an external electric field is applied, these electrons will move in response to the field until they reach equilibrium. At equilibrium, the electrons are evenly distributed throughout the conductor, resulting in no net charge or electric field within the conductor.
Equilibrium in a conductor refers to the state where there is no net movement of charge or electric field within the conductor. This occurs when the conductor has reached a steady state, with the electrons evenly distributed throughout the conductor.
In a conductor, the free electrons are able to move in response to an external electric field. As the electrons move, they create their own electric field that acts in the opposite direction to the external field. This results in a cancellation of the two fields, leading to a zero net electric field within the conductor.
In ideal conditions, the electric field in a conductor will always be zero at equilibrium. However, in real-life scenarios, factors such as uneven distribution of charge or external influences may result in a non-zero electric field. Additionally, if the conductor is not in equilibrium, there may be a non-zero electric field present.
The shape of a conductor does not directly affect the electric field within it. However, the shape of the conductor may affect the distribution of charge and thus indirectly affect the electric field. For example, a pointed conductor will have a higher concentration of charge at the tip, resulting in a stronger electric field in that region.