Question

Which of the following are true? Select all that apply. The net electric field at any location inside a block of copper is zero if the copper block is in equilibrium. In equilibrium, there is no net flow of mobile charged particles inside a conductor. If the net electric field at a particular location inside a piece of metal is not zero, the metal is not in equilibrium. The net electric field inside a block of aluminum is zero under all circumstances. The electric field from an external charge cannot penetrate to the center of a block of iron.

Answer 1

True statements include: the net electric field is zero inside a block of copper in equilibrium, there is no net flow of charged particles in a conductor in equilibrium, and if the net electric field is non-zero inside a metal, it is not in equilibrium. False statements include that the electric field is always zero in aluminum and that external fields cannot penetrate an iron block.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the properties of conductors in electrostatic equilibrium. The statements regarding the electric field inside a conductor and the behavior of charges within a conducting material can be addressed with the principles of electrostatics as follows:

• The net electric field at any location inside a block of copper is zero if the copper block is in equilibrium - true. This is because, when in equilibrium, the free charges have rearranged themselves such that they cancel internal electric fields.
• In equilibrium, there is no net flow of mobile charged particles inside a conductor - true. No net flow occurs because the charges have distributed themselves in a way that establishes electrostatic equilibrium.
• If the net electric field at a particular location inside a piece of metal is not zero, the metal is not in equilibrium - true. The net electric field should be zero in a metal that has reached electrostatic equilibrium.
• The net electric field inside a block of aluminum is zero under all circumstances - false. This is only true if the aluminum block is in electrostatic equilibrium.
• The electric field from an external charge cannot penetrate to the center of a block of iron - false. The electric field from an external charge can induce surface charges on the conductor, which in turn affect the electric field distribution within the conductor.

Answer 2

1) The net electric field at any location inside a block of copper is zero if the copper block is in equilibrium.

2) In equilibrium, there is no net flow of mobile charged particles inside a conductor.

3) If the net electric field at a particular location inside a piece of metal is not zero, the metal is not in equilibrium.

Step-by-step explanation:

1) and 3) A block of copper is a conductor. The charged particles on a conductor in equilibrium are at rest, so the intensity of the electric field at all interior points of the conductor is zero, otherwise, the charges would move resulting in an electric current.

2) The charged particles on a conductor in equilibrium are at rest.