Across the surface of a charged conductor, the electric

Options

A. field is continuous
B. potential is continuous
C. field is discontinuous
D. potential is discontinuous

Answer

To solve the question regarding the electric field and electric potential across the surface of a charged conductor, we can break it down into clear steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Concept of Conductors in Electrostatics**:
- In electrostatics, conductors have specific properties. When a conductor is charged, the charges reside on its surface.

**Hint**: Remember that charges in a conductor are free to move until they reach equilibrium.

2. **Electric Field Inside a Conductor**:
- Inside a charged conductor, the electric field is zero. This is because any excess charge will move to the surface, and the internal electric field cancels out.

**Hint**: Think about how free charges redistribute themselves in response to electric fields.

3. **Electric Field Outside a Conductor**:
- Outside the surface of the conductor, the electric field is not zero. It is directed outward from the surface if the conductor is positively charged and inward if negatively charged.

**Hint**: Visualize electric field lines; they originate from positive charges and terminate at negative charges.

4. **Discontinuity of Electric Field**:
- At the surface of the conductor, there is a discontinuity in the electric field. The electric field just outside the surface is non-zero, while it is zero just inside the surface.

**Hint**: Consider the behavior of electric field lines at boundaries; they can change abruptly.

5. **Electric Potential**:
- The electric potential inside a conductor is constant (and equal to the potential on the surface) because the electric field is zero. However, the potential changes as you move from the surface to the outside region.

**Hint**: Remember that electric potential is related to the work done in moving a charge in an electric field.

6. **Summary of Findings**:
- Inside the conductor: Electric field (E) = 0, Electric potential (V) = constant.
- Outside the conductor: Electric field (E) is non-zero and directed outward, Electric potential (V) decreases as you move away from the surface.

### Final Conclusion:
- The electric field inside a charged conductor is zero, while the electric field outside is discontinuous. The electric potential is continuous throughout the conductor and constant inside, while it changes outside.