Question

Under electrostatic conditions, the electric field just outside the surface of any charged conductor:

A. is equal to the electric field just inside the surface of the conductor.
B. can have nonzero components perpendicular to and parallel to the surface of the conductor, if it is not symmetric.
C. is always zero.
D. is always perpendicular to the surface of the conductor.
E. is always parallel to the surface of the conductor.

Answer 1

D. is always perpendicular to the surface of the conductor

Step-by-step explanation:

1) Answer is (D) option. Electric field just outside surface of charged conductor is normal to conductor at that point.

It can be explained on the basis of the fact that, Electric field inside conductor under static condition is zero. As a result potential difference between any two points with in conductor is zero. So whole of conductor is equipotential body.

Equipotential surface and Electric field lines always cut at 90 degrees to each other. Conductor being equipotential body, Electric field lines starting or terminating at conductor must be normal to surface. Hence electric field just outside conductor is perpendicular or normal to surface.