Electrostatic equilibrium

Definition

Electrostatic equilibrium occurs when the charges within a conductor are at rest, resulting in no net movement of charge. In this state, the electric field inside the conductor is zero and any excess charge resides on the surface.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In electrostatic equilibrium, the electric field inside a conductor is zero.
2. Any excess charge on a conductor in electrostatic equilibrium will reside entirely on its surface.
3. The electric potential is constant throughout a conductor in electrostatic equilibrium.
4. Charges distribute themselves on the surface to minimize repulsive forces between them.
5. The electric field just outside a charged conductor is perpendicular to the surface and proportional to the surface charge density.

Review Questions

• What happens to the electric field inside a conductor when it reaches electrostatic equilibrium?
• Where do excess charges reside on a conductor in electrostatic equilibrium?
• Why is the electric potential constant throughout a conductor in electrostatic equilibrium?

Related terms

Electric Field:

A vector field that represents the force per unit charge exerted on a test charge at each point in space.

Conductor:

A material that allows free movement of electric charges (electrons) throughout its volume.

Surface Charge Density:

$\sigma$ represents the amount of charge per unit area on a surface, typically measured in coulombs per square meter (C/m^2).