Class 12PhysicsElectric Potential and CapacitanceConductor, Electrostatic Shielding, Induced Charge and Charge Redistribution on conductor
MediumExplain electrostatic shielding with a necessary diagram.
(N/A) Electrostatic shielding is the phenomenon of protecting a certain region of space from an external electric field by surrounding it with a conductor.
Consider a conductor with a cavity as shown in the figure. Regardless of the size and shape of the cavity,if there are no charges inside it,the electric field inside the cavity remains zero.
When a conductor with a cavity is placed in an external electric field,the charges redistribute themselves on the outer surface such that the electric field inside the material of the conductor and within the cavity becomes zero.
Even if the conductor is charged,all excess charges reside only on the outer surface of the conductor. Thus,any cavity in a conductor remains shielded from external electric influences. This is known as electrostatic shielding.
$A$ practical example is sitting inside a car during a thunderstorm. If lightning strikes the car,the metal body of the car acts as an electrostatic shield,ensuring that the electric field inside remains zero,thus keeping the occupants safe.
Consider a conductor with a cavity as shown in the figure. Regardless of the size and shape of the cavity,if there are no charges inside it,the electric field inside the cavity remains zero.
When a conductor with a cavity is placed in an external electric field,the charges redistribute themselves on the outer surface such that the electric field inside the material of the conductor and within the cavity becomes zero.
Even if the conductor is charged,all excess charges reside only on the outer surface of the conductor. Thus,any cavity in a conductor remains shielded from external electric influences. This is known as electrostatic shielding.
$A$ practical example is sitting inside a car during a thunderstorm. If lightning strikes the car,the metal body of the car acts as an electrostatic shield,ensuring that the electric field inside remains zero,thus keeping the occupants safe.
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Similar Questions
$A$ spherical metal shell $A$ of radius $R_A$ and a solid metal sphere $B$ of radius $R_B < R_A$ are kept far apart and each is given charge $+Q$. Now they are connected by a thin metal wire. Then:
$(A)$ $E_A^{\text{inside}} = 0$
$(B)$ $Q_A > Q_B$
$(C)$ $\frac{\sigma_A}{\sigma_B} = \frac{R_B}{R_A}$
$(D)$ $E_A^{\text{on surface}} < E_B^{\text{on surface}}$
$(A)$ $E_A^{\text{inside}} = 0$
$(B)$ $Q_A > Q_B$
$(C)$ $\frac{\sigma_A}{\sigma_B} = \frac{R_B}{R_A}$
$(D)$ $E_A^{\text{on surface}} < E_B^{\text{on surface}}$
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