Why is the net Charge on a Conducting Solid Body Always on the Surface?

Most recent answer: 06/28/2012

Q:
why charge is always distributed in the surface of any object not in the center of the object?
- Matrix Wasek (age 17)
Dhaka,bangladesh
A:
If the solid object has any conductivity at all the unlike charges will attract each other come together and result in net charge zero.  On the other hand like-charges will repel each other and try to get as far away from each other as they possibly can, namely distributed around the surface.  The net result is that the electric field inside the body goes to zero and all the net positive or negative charge remains on the surface. If the solid object has zero conductivity you can have any internal charge distribution you want along with its electric field.

LeeH

(published on 06/28/2012)