We know that the electric field inside of a conductor is 0 and yet we also know that to have that we need an electric field to have moving charges. Reconcile these statements in the case of charges moving in the wires of a circuit

Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Foundations and Connections
1st Edition
ISBN:9781133939146
Author:Katz, Debora M.
Publisher:Katz, Debora M.
Chapter23: Electric Forces
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We know that the electric field inside of a conductor is 0 and yet we also know that to have that we need an electric field to have moving charges. Reconcile these statements in the case of charges moving in the wires of a circuit

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Step 1

The electric field inside a conductor is indeed zero, this is due to the fact that conductors contain free electrons that can move freely within the material.

When an electric field is applied to the conductor, the free electrons respond by moving in such a way as to counteract the external electric field. This results in a reduction of the electric field to zero inside the conductor. 

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