Properties of conductors

In this part of the course, we assume conductors to be perfect conductors. This is a good approximation for many real-world materials, especially metals such as copper, silver, aluminum, iron, etc.

  1. There is no electric field inside a conductor.
    If you try to make a field inside, the charges in the conductor move around in such a way as to cancel your attempt.

  2. Charges can exist only on the surface of a conductor.
    The inside is neutral, i.e., there are equal numbers of neutrons and protons everywhere. Otherwise, there would be electric fields inside.

  3. All points of a conductor are at the same potential.
    Since     DV = - E Dx and E=0, the potential must be constant.

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