What is the charge distribution in a solid conductor?
Here are two common statements about the charge distribution in a solid conductor: There is no net charge inside the conductor, "because if we think of charges as balls repelling each other they will congregate at the boundary". The charge will distribute on the boundary in such a way that the potential inside the conductor is constant.
Does the charge distribute uniformly over a nonspherical conductor?
However, unless the conductor is spherical, the charge does not distribute itself uniformly. Put another way, the surface charge density s (charge per unit area) varies over the surface of any nonspherical conductor. Why wouldn't the charge always distribute uniformly?
What happens to the charge inside a conductor?
In a conductor, the charge can move freely. If we charge a conductor, the charge is redistributed evenly (on a regular body). If we charge a can, the entire outer surface is charged uniformly, there is no charge inside the can (hollow conductor) because the matching charges are repelled: trying to get as far away as possible..
How are charges distributed on insulators and conductors?
If the surface of the conductor is smooth and regular, like a sphere, the charges will push each other away until they all end up exactly the same distance from each other. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. This activity will help you assess your knowledge of how a charge is distributed on insulators and conductors.
Where is charge distributed in a conductor?
If we charge a conductor, the charge is redistributed evenly (on a regular body). If we charge a can, the entire outer surface is charged uniformly, there is no charge inside the can (hollow conductor) because the matching charges are repelled: trying to get as far away as possible..
Why is charge distributed on the surface of a conductor?
Why do charges reside on the surface of a conductor? Because that's the only way the electric field inside the conductor can be zero.
How are charges distributed in conductors and insulators?
In insulators, all of the electrons are strongly bound to each atom and aren't free to move around from atom to atom. In conductors, some of the electrons are loosely bound to each atom so they can easily move around, allowing charge to flow and redistribute throughout the conductor.
What does charge distribution on a conductor depend on?
Charge density depends on amount of charge and surface area of conductor or size of conductor.
How is charge distributed on a conducting sphere?
Conducting sphere: charge distributes uniformly. E outside just like point charge Q. More general shape: 1. E is ⊥ to surface since there can be no component tangent.
Why charge inside the conductor is zero?
Due to a large number of electrons, the force of repulsion acting in between them is also very high. Hence in order to minimize the repulsion between electrons, the electrons move to the surface of the conductor. Hence we can say that the net charge inside the conductor is zero.
Is charge distribution uniform on a conductor?
In a conductor, the conduction electrons, the electrons in the outermost electron shell, can move freely throughout the conductor. Conductors with shape symmetry have uniform charge distributions at equilibrium.
How is charge distributed on a non conductor?
In a non conducting sphere, the charge is distributed evenly inside and outside. Mathematically the charge on one surface (including outer) would be zero.
On what factors does conductor depend?
There are four factors that influence the resistance in a conductor. Thickness (cross sectional area of thewire), length, and temperature. The fourth factor is the conductivity of the material that is used.
Does flux depend on charge distribution?
Electric flux is dependent on the charge enclosed by the surface. It also depends on the magnitude and direction of the electrical field.
Which factors have an influence on a conductor?
There are several factors that affect the resistance of a conductor;material, eg copper, has lower resistance than steel.length - longer wires have greater resistance.thickness - smaller diameter wires have greater resistance.temperature - heating a wire increases its resistance.
Does Gauss law depend on charge distribution?
Gauss's Law is valid for any closed surface (a Gaussian surface) and any distribution of charges. If the electric field is known at every point on the surface S the integral can in principle be evaluated and will be seen to be equal to the sum of the enclosed charges divided by ε0.
Why is the charge distribution uneven?
Sometimes, the uneven charge distribution is because those points are the most distant ones available, and electrons being of like charge, tend to repel each other. However, the topology of the conductor is also important because charges prefer to reside on the outside surface (s) of a conductor as opposed to inside ones.
Why is topology important in conductors?
However, the topology of the conductor is also important because charges prefer to reside on the outside surface(s) of a conductor as opposed to inside ones.
What happens if you admit infinite conductors?
If you admit infinite conductors then you also have uniform surface charge on a circular cylinder.
Why does static charge not spread uniformly?
The fact that the static charge does not spread uniformly is the basis for things like lightning rods. Sharp edges are places that static charges, particularly higher voltage ones, like to reside. This design also aids in dissipating dangerous voltages via the coronal (ionized air) discharge mechanism.
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What happens to surface charge density at edges?
Eventually, at edges the surface charge density becomes infinite. Instead of a finite surface density you have a finite line charge density in the edge.
Does excess charge move to the surface of a conductor?
You have seen that the excess charge on an isolated conductor moves entirely to the conductor’s surface. However, unless the conductor is spherical, the charge does not distribute itself uniformly. Put another way, the surface charge density s (charge per unit area) varies over the surface of any nonspherical conductor.
What is the purpose of aluminium foil on a sewer pipe?
In all cases, use the aluminium foil on the holder (in case of the sewer pipe) or suspended aluminium foils (in the case of the can) to determine the distribution of charge on the can and the pipe.
How to discharge sewer pipe?
The sewer pipe is a very good insulator, so it stays charged for a long time. To discharge it, wipe it with a wet cloth and let it dry.
What happens when you charge a conductor?
In a conductor, the charge can move freely. If we charge a conductor, the charge is redistributed evenly (on a regular body). If we charge a can, the entire outer surface is charged uniformly, there is no charge inside the can (hollow conductor) because the matching charges are repelled: trying to get as far away as possible..
Is sewer pipe an insulator?
A sewer pipe is used as an insulator in this experiment. Unlike most commonly used plastics, it is not antistatic, so it can be easily charged. In addition, its shape and size are similar to the can of stewed fruit that is commonly used for electrostatic experiments.
Can an insulator be redistributed?
In an insulator, the charge cannot be redistributed. If we charge an insulator, the charge will remain only at the spot that we charged. Charging multiple areas on an insulator will result in all these areas being charged, though the space between them will not be charged.
Do we discharge a conductor?
The same applies when discharging – if we touch a single spot on the conductor, we discharge it all. In the case of the insulator, however, we will only discharge a very small space near the point of contact.
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