Skip to content

Question

Why can’t the electric field inside a charged insulator be zero, unlike in a conductor?

Options

Choose one · Correct answer highlighted

Explanation

**Dipole moment** governs torque and energy in external field. Axial field stronger than equatorial, torque maximum at θ = 90°, zero when aligned. Work done rotating dipole relates to ΔU = pE(1 - cosθ), explaining stable equilibrium at θ = 0°. In insulators, charges are fixed and cannot move to cancel an internal field. If charges are present inside, they generate a field that persists, as there are no free charges to redistribute and neutralize it, unlike in conductors. Substituting values gives Lack of free charges, which matches expected magnitude for this electrostatic configuration, confirming Coulomb's and Gauss's principles and charge quantization consistency.

Discussion

Comments

0 comments

No comments yet. Be the first to start the discussion.