AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism / Unit 10: Conductors and Capacitors
10.1 Electrostatics with Conductors
Notes
In electrostatic equilibrium:
- $E=0$ inside a conductor.
- Excess charge sits on the surface.
- The whole conductor is at one potential; the field at the surface is perpendicular.
- Charge concentrates at sharp points.
Practice
The electric field inside a charged conductor in equilibrium:
Charges rearrange to cancel it.
Excess charge on a conductor is found:
Charges repel to the outside.
Lightning rods are pointed because:
High field at the tip.
Ready for more? Take the Unit 10 test.