Home » Ask & Discuss » Physics. » Electricity « Back to Discussion

Electricity

Cool goIITian

Joined:	18 Jun 2007
Post:	53

13 Aug 2007 13:05:24 IST

0 People liked this

458

Conduction of electric field

None

In our physics class sir said that an insulator [bad conductor] allows an electric field to pass through it but a conductor does not

Why is that?

Can anyone please explain the actual phenomenon and the reasons behind them?

No mathematical explanations required

Share this article on:

Comments (2)

Rahul Karmakar

Scorching goIITian

Joined: 16 Dec 2006

Posts: 214

13 Aug 2007 13:36:52 IST

Like 1 people liked this

If an electric field did exist beneath the surface of a conductor (and inside of it), then the electric field would exert a force on all electrons that were present there. This net force would begin to accelerate and move these electrons. But objects at electrostatic equilibrium have no further motion of charge about the surface. So if this were to occur, then the original claim that the object was at electrostatic equilibrium would be a false claim. If the electrons within a conductor have assumed an equilibrium state, then the net force upon those electrons is zero. The electric field lines either begin or end upon a charge and in the case of a conductor, the charge exists solely upon its outer surface.

Rahul Karmakar

Scorching goIITian

Joined: 16 Dec 2006

Posts: 214

13 Aug 2007 13:38:55 IST

Like 0 people liked this

In contrast to conductors, insulators are materials which impede the free flow of electrons from atom to atom and molecule to molecule. If charge is transferred to an insulator at a given location, the excess charge will remain at the initial location of charging. The particles of the insulator do not permit the free flow of electrons; subsequently charge is seldom distributed evenly across the surface of an insulator.

Quick Reply

Reply

	Some HTML allowed.
	Keep your comments above the belt or risk having them deleted.
	Signup for a avatar to have your pictures show up by your comment
	If Members see a thread that violates the Posting Rules, bring it to the attention of the Moderator Team