We have seen that an electric field must exist inside a conductor that carries a current. How is that possible in view of the fact that in electrostatics we concluded that the electric field must be zero inside a conductor?

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Physics

Damari Roman

13 August, 04:33

We have seen that an electric field must exist inside a conductor that carries a current. How is that possible in view of the fact that in electrostatics we concluded that the electric field must be zero inside a conductor?

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Francisco · Answer 1

The potential difference between one side of the wire causes the electric field inside the wire (causes the electrons to flow). However, inside the wire, it is still neutral. The electrons are just moving, the wire is not gaining or losing electrons.